Prisoner Of Ironsea Tower

The second book in Sarah Ash's new fantasy trilogy and sequel to the acclaimed 'Lord of Snow and Shadows'.

'This is no run-of-the-mill good-versus-evil fantasy...part political thriller, part fantasy, this is complex, ambitious writing with an engrossing plot...rich, multi-layered'

Sarah Ash read music at New Hall, Cambridge, studying with Robin Holloway and John Rutter for her finals. Her interests in music and drama led her into teaching. While a teacher she co-wrote several musicals for young performers, but decided to concentrate her creative energies on her other passion: writing fiction, and her breakthrough came with the publication of her short story ‘Moth Music’ in Interzone magazine. 
As well as short stories, Sarah writes longer fiction and, to date, has nine novels to her name, including the acclaimed ‘Tears of Artamon’ trilogy – Lord of Snow and Shadows, Prisoner of Ironsea Tower and Children of the Serpent Gate. She lives in Bath.

'The emperor's tears will unlock the gate...' 
Eugene of Tielen has won the five Tears of Artamon, the legendary rubies which entitle him to be crowned ruler of the ancient empire of Rossiya. But on the eve of his coronation, as the rubies are brought together for the first time in the imperial crown, a strange phenomenon occurs: a beacon of crimson light shoots up from the crown into the night sky. Is it a good portent - or an evil omen? 
While sinister forces infiltrate Eugene's new empire, stirring the defeated peoples to revolt, Eugene is obsessed with enslaving a Drakhaoul, the daemon spirit that made his arch enemy, Gavril Nagarian, such a formidable opponent. Craving the arcane knowledge that will lead him to his goal, Eugene seeks out Kiukirilya, the Spirit Singer, forcing her to undertake a perilous journey into the world of the dead. 
And what of Gavril, imprisoned and tortured in the dread Ironsea Tower? His dreams are of escape. But the opportunity, when it comes, faces him with an impossible choice. He longs to return to his earlier, simpler life but he knows that only one man can stop Eugene in his quest for daemonic powers. And that man is Gavril Nagarian...

Children Of The Serpent Gate

The concluding volume in Sarah Ash's acclaimed fantasy trilogy 'The Tears of Artamon'.

'This is no run-of-the-mill good-versus-evil fantasy potboiler....this is complex, ambitious writing with an engrossing plot'

'Ash does it in style...she has given us a superb interweaving of character and context, seamless enough to carry us past the threshold of disbelief into a world both magical and firmly, unwaveringly human'

'Darkly delicious...takes elements from Eastern European folklore and combines them with vampirism, dragons and politics to create an unusual and rich new landscape...filled with surprises and exciting twists. It is a deeply textured read that I found utterly entrancing

'A gem of a fantasy novel that shouldn't be missed. From the moment I read the first page I was hooked and couldn't put it down. She has breathed new life into the familiar scenario...it makes for a very exciting read'

Ash's rollercoaster plot never lets her reader get comfortable...This book has everything - dragons, werewolves, thaumaturgy and alchemy, vengeful wraiths, secret passages, poison, unnatural weather, adultery, treachery, revenge, and (common to Ash's books) music. An excellent start to a promising new series

Excellent...Fascinating and unpredictable, Gavril's tale gains richness from the grand scope of Ash's narrative, with its echoes of Russian history under the czars. Enhanced by supporting characters who are living, breathing individuals, this book will leave readers drooling to get their hands on the sequel

Gavril Nagarian, Lord Drakhaon of Azhkendir, is believed dead - perished in the heat of battle. Yet he still lives, and is entrusted with a sacred mission: to rescue the aged Magus, who has been kidnapped and in whose possession are the five priceless rubies that compose the fabled Tears of Artamon. Ancient law decrees that whoever possesses the stones has the power to impose his will over the Empire of New Rossiya. But the task exacts a cost. The drakhaoul that destroyed his forebears has penetrated Gavril's psyche and is gaining power over his soul. As these dark forces seek immortality inside him, so Gavril must feed on the blood of innocents - or die. 
Toppled by the loss of the Tears of Artamon, Emperor Eugene of Tielen is tormented by his own daemon, but he must defend his lands against King Enguerrand of Francia who claims ownership of the Tears. Yet both men share a common goal: to destroy Gavril Nagarian and the Drakhaoul that lives within him once and for all. 
Ingenious and unforgettable, Children of the Serpent Gate delivers a thrilling conclusion to the epic trials of a man of honour in a world in chaos - one that can only be laid to rest by an Emperor's Tears.

Sarah Ash

'Overflowing with page-turning surprises and plot twists...a promising start to a clearly ambitious series'

Three kingdoms. One man. 
A destiny written in blood. 
An epic new fantasy series begins . . . 
 
Seemingly always the outsider, Gavril Andar - an impoverished young painter - yearns to join the privileged circles of Muscobar polite society. However, unbeknownst to him, he does have royal blood in his veins: the dark and powerful blood of a father he never knew - the Drakhaon, ruler of the isolated northern kingdom of Azhkendir. And when the Drakhaon is brutally murdered, an unwilling Gavril is forced to take up the mantle of both his father's rule - and his power. For blood will out. And the Drakhaon's carries within it a taint that gives its bearer access to awesome, unimagined magics - but at a soul-shattering price. 
 
Now trapped in this bleak, mist-shrouded land full of superstition and racked by bitter rivalries, Gavril faces an awesome task. He must find his father's killer and unite his fractured kingdom against those who see it as weak, defenceless and ripe for invasion before he pays the price of kinship and succumbs to the dread curse that uncoils within him . . . 
 
Richly imagined, full of intrigue, magic and dark romance and boasting a cast of superbly-drawn players, LORD OF SNOW AND SHADOWS is the first book in a thrilling new trilogy and marks the triumphant return of one of fantasy's most original and exciting voices.

Sarah Ash

Praise for Lord Of Snow And Shadows

'Overflowing with page-turning surprises and plot twists...a promising start to a clearly ambitious series'

'Ash does it in style...she has given us a superb interweaving of character and context, seamless enough to carry us past the threshold of disbelief into a world both magical and firmly, unwaveringly human'

Books by Sarah Ash

Series by Sarah Ash

THE TEARS OF ARTAMON

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter