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Tyrantfall
Fear and respect. One and the same.
Crown Princess Sellane duels to defend her family’s honor before the court. Her brother leads their grand armies on the battlefield. Their father rules over all with a bloody, iron clad fist. House Tellameer’s control over their empire is absolute.
Or is it?
When rumblings of dissent reach Sellane via a troubling source, she dismisses them as harmless. But when the knives come out and noble blood stains the imperial palace red, she’s thrust into a desperate fight for her life. If she falls, the empire falls with her, but the architect of this brutal coup can predict every move she makes. Whoever the arch-traitor is, it’s someone that knows her as intimately as family, and that truth might cut deeper than any blade.
Tyrantfall is a Strange Frontier prequel novel that explores the events leading up to the start of the series. It is recommended to read Troupe of Shadows first.
Crown Princess Sellane duels to defend her family’s honor before the court. Her brother leads their grand armies on the battlefield. Their father rules over all with a bloody, iron clad fist. House Tellameer’s control over their empire is absolute.
Or is it?
When rumblings of dissent reach Sellane via a troubling source, she dismisses them as harmless. But when the knives come out and noble blood stains the imperial palace red, she’s thrust into a desperate fight for her life. If she falls, the empire falls with her, but the architect of this brutal coup can predict every move she makes. Whoever the arch-traitor is, it’s someone that knows her as intimately as family, and that truth might cut deeper than any blade.
Tyrantfall is a Strange Frontier prequel novel that explores the events leading up to the start of the series. It is recommended to read Troupe of Shadows first.
168 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 25, 2023
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 7, 2023
A prequel to the also excellent Troupe of Shadows. Prequels can be dodgy ventures, since you already know how it's going to end, and if the original material is fully satisfying on its own (like this one's), do they truly add value? Fortunately here the answer is, 'yes!'. This earlier story isn't technically necessary, but damn it was good. It beats Star Wars episodes I-III, that's for sure.
Despite knowing the end state, this book managed to create authentic tension and thrills. Despite knowing that certain characters were guaranteed to live, the stakes still felt high and it was an enjoyable journey. Sometimes with prequel material, a certain character appears and you're like, "Oh, it's that person I know. Ho hum," but here they each came into the narrative authentically. The author honours the characters' "later" appearance here, and each one's presentation enhances my remembered impressions of them. Despite expecting when starting this book that it wouldn't quite be as enjoyable as the other, because the "fish out of water" situation for the band of chameleonic alien ninjas was part of their appeal in Troupe and here they're in their home environment, but Zabrinsky managed to infuse the same level of alienation and discomfort for them regardless.
Briskly paced, action-packed, and just-right-sized as a long novella or short novel. You could read this one first and go on to enjoy Troupe of Shadows just fine, but given the choice I would advise starting with the other (as does the author).
I read enough self-published fantasy to know that there are a few gems in a sea of bad, and even the supposedly 'good' often turns out lousy and leaves me feeling that any success is a triumph of marketing rather than writing quality. But this Zabrinsky fellow strikes me as the real deal, demonstrating a combination of genuine talent and hard work and pride in the final product. If you like original fantasy low-magic action and adventure, you won't go wrong here.
Despite knowing the end state, this book managed to create authentic tension and thrills. Despite knowing that certain characters were guaranteed to live, the stakes still felt high and it was an enjoyable journey. Sometimes with prequel material, a certain character appears and you're like, "Oh, it's that person I know. Ho hum," but here they each came into the narrative authentically. The author honours the characters' "later" appearance here, and each one's presentation enhances my remembered impressions of them. Despite expecting when starting this book that it wouldn't quite be as enjoyable as the other, because the "fish out of water" situation for the band of chameleonic alien ninjas was part of their appeal in Troupe and here they're in their home environment, but Zabrinsky managed to infuse the same level of alienation and discomfort for them regardless.
Briskly paced, action-packed, and just-right-sized as a long novella or short novel. You could read this one first and go on to enjoy Troupe of Shadows just fine, but given the choice I would advise starting with the other (as does the author).
I read enough self-published fantasy to know that there are a few gems in a sea of bad, and even the supposedly 'good' often turns out lousy and leaves me feeling that any success is a triumph of marketing rather than writing quality. But this Zabrinsky fellow strikes me as the real deal, demonstrating a combination of genuine talent and hard work and pride in the final product. If you like original fantasy low-magic action and adventure, you won't go wrong here.
September 10, 2023
Having really enjoyed the excellent Troupe of Shadows I was confident to have a great time reading the prequel Tyrantfall aswell. I didn't expect to enjoy it even more because there is more fighting in both novels than I'm usually comfortable with.
I'm a sucker of character driven stories and Jennings Zabrinsky really excelled to please me at that front. I caught myself rooting for the protagonist Sellane despite knowing she is an unpleasant and horrible person.
That the people have some chameleon like abilities is a cool idea.
I think it is perfectly fine to read Tyrantfall before Troupe of Shadows. Maybe it is better because you don't already know who will survive up front.
Whichever order, do yourself a favour and give one of them a try. Both books are great.
I'm a sucker of character driven stories and Jennings Zabrinsky really excelled to please me at that front. I caught myself rooting for the protagonist Sellane despite knowing she is an unpleasant and horrible person.
That the people have some chameleon like abilities is a cool idea.
I think it is perfectly fine to read Tyrantfall before Troupe of Shadows. Maybe it is better because you don't already know who will survive up front.
Whichever order, do yourself a favour and give one of them a try. Both books are great.
October 16, 2025
This prequel was even better than the first book! It's so cool to see how this group gets their start in the midst of a hostile takeover! Definitely want to see where this goes in the future!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews