First, Denland's revolutionaries assassinated their king, launching a wave of bloodshed after generations of peace. Next they clashed with Lascanne, their royalist neighbour, pitching war-machines against warlocks in a fiercely fought conflict.
Genteel Emily Marshwic watched as the hostilities stole her family's young men. But then came the call for yet more Lascanne soldiers in a ravaged kingdom with none left to give. Emily must join the ranks of conscripted women and march toward the front lines.
With barely enough training to hold a musket, Emily braves the savage reality of warfare. But she begins to doubt her country's cause, and those doubts become critical. For her choices will determine her own future and that of two nations locked in battle.
About the Author
Adrian Tchaikovsky was born in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire before heading off to Reading to study psychology and zoology. For reasons unclear even to himself he subsequently ended up in law and has worked as a legal executive in both Reading and Leeds, where he now lives. Married, he is a keen live role-player and occasional amateur actor, has trained in stage-fighting, and keeps no exotic or dangerous pets of any kind, possibly excepting his son.
Industry Reviews
Guns of the Dawn . . . is my favorite fantasy that I've read this year ... and I read a lot of fantasy . . . Adrian Tchaikovsky has assembled an engrossing, enchanting novel. This is one stand-alone novel that makes me deeply hope for a sequel * Fantasy Literature * Guns of the Dawn has a lot to say about the nature of war and the real reasons as to why such conflicts happen. At the same time, it is also an involving, entertaining read that flows very fluidly and keeps the reader turning the pages well into the night * Gingernutsofhorror.com * Stories by Adrian Tchaikovsky are always sober, meticulous and carefully constructed. Guns of the Dawn is no exception . . . a story of gravitas, that uses its fantasy premise to hold a mirror to our past . . . Definitely a thought provoking read * SFBook.com * This is a pacey, relentless . . . tightly written and plotted, with exquisite attention to every bloody detail . . . Moving, gripping and wonderfully paced, Tchaikovsky has produced a strong stand alone book about a remarkable heroine * Thebookbag.co.uk * I loved that book so much I read it in two sittings (and it's not short!). It has elements of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe novels, mixed with Jane Austenesque characters, against the backdrop of war, with a side order of fireball-wielding sorcerers. The lead character is simply wonderful * Emma Newman * World building is steady and relentless; this is a fantasy novel with muskets, magic, war machines and social hierarchies. The reader is never overwhelmed with exposition, but it is a dense world and it's a credit to the skill of the author that both the world and the characters contain plenty of surprises * Starburst Magazine * Once the musket balls start to fly, Tchaikovsky weaves together a story that keeps you hooked with breathless battle scenes, well-drawn characters and an uneasy feeling in your gut that while Marshwic and her red-coated comrades are winning battles they're slowly losing the war... an engrossing story, beautifully told * SFX Magazine * I loved it. One of the best books I've ever read. Imagine Sharpe with a female lead and warlocks - need I say more? -- Peter Newman
