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The Red Queen's War #3.5
The New World
This is the novella that appeared in omnibus for Jalan and Snorri's trilogy.
It's a 25,000 word story that takes place after that trilogy and was the start of a sequel I was writing but put aside in favour of other projects.
It covers a sea voyage to the New World and is a pretty self-contained tale, re-introducing us to the delights of Jalan's cowardly womanising and Snorri's good hearted Viking vibe. If you recall how much Jalan hates boats ... you'll get a sense of what's to come.
I had great fun writing this one - I hope you'll enjoy the read.
Can be found in paperback and hardcover within The Red Queen's WarD (short story collection).
It's a 25,000 word story that takes place after that trilogy and was the start of a sequel I was writing but put aside in favour of other projects.
It covers a sea voyage to the New World and is a pretty self-contained tale, re-introducing us to the delights of Jalan's cowardly womanising and Snorri's good hearted Viking vibe. If you recall how much Jalan hates boats ... you'll get a sense of what's to come.
I had great fun writing this one - I hope you'll enjoy the read.
Can be found in paperback and hardcover within The Red Queen's WarD (short story collection).
95 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 2, 2023
97 people are currently reading
1202 people want to read
About the author
Mark Lawrence
99 books56.1k followersMy books vary a LOT - so
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[My new book The Book That Broke The World is out now!]
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Mark Lawrence is married with four children, one of whom is severely disabled. Before becoming a fulltime writer in 2015 day job was as a research scientist focused on various rather intractable problems in the field of artificial intelligence. He has held secret level clearance with both US and UK governments. At one point he was qualified to say 'this isn't rocket science ... oh wait, it actually is'.
Mark used to have a list of hobbies back when he did science by day. Now his time is really just divided between writing and caring for his disabled daughter. There are occasional forays into computer games too.
[My new book The Book That Broke The World is out now!]
Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/marklawrencea...
Blog here: http://mark---lawrence.blogspot.co.uk/
I'm on Youtube now! *excitement!*
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIrB...
Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/MarkLawrence...
https://www.instagram.com/mark___lawr...
Threads
https://www.threads.net/@mark___lawrence
Blue Sky
https://bsky.app/profile/marklawrence...
Three-emails-a-year newsletter here:
http://eepurl.com/cimnK1 #Prizes #FreeContent
I'm even on Tumblr!
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/marklawre...
Pintrest!
https://uk.pinterest.com/princeofthor...
Plus I have free stuff on Wattpad!
https://www.wattpad.com/user/MarkLawr...
Mark Lawrence is married with four children, one of whom is severely disabled. Before becoming a fulltime writer in 2015 day job was as a research scientist focused on various rather intractable problems in the field of artificial intelligence. He has held secret level clearance with both US and UK governments. At one point he was qualified to say 'this isn't rocket science ... oh wait, it actually is'.
Mark used to have a list of hobbies back when he did science by day. Now his time is really just divided between writing and caring for his disabled daughter. There are occasional forays into computer games too.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
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December 10, 2025You can get this (together with three Jalan & Snorri short stories) in paperback or hardcover in the The Red Queen’s Ward collection.
This tale of Jalan and Snorri sailing to the New World (America!) originally appeared in The Red Queen's War omnibus.
25,000 glorious words, including "poop".
Now available on Amazon all by itself.
“A nun?”
“Well.” I tried my penitent face. Despite all that practice, I still wasn’t very good at it. “Nuns.”
“Nuns!” Omar threw up his hands. “You said it was just the once!”
“It was!” I fiddled with the sleeves of my cassock. “Just once. I swear it . . . Only with more than one nun.”
Here's the limited edition omnibus (now sold out).
“What’s cooking?” Snorri wrinkled his nose.
“Cow.” I stirred the broth. “I’m doing what every good mariner does when all the food has run out. I’m improvising.”
“Are … are those boots?” Snorri leaned in, frowning.
“Before they were boots they were cow.”
“They still smell like boots.”
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
...
This tale of Jalan and Snorri sailing to the New World (America!) originally appeared in The Red Queen's War omnibus.
25,000 glorious words, including "poop".
Now available on Amazon all by itself.
“A nun?”
“Well.” I tried my penitent face. Despite all that practice, I still wasn’t very good at it. “Nuns.”
“Nuns!” Omar threw up his hands. “You said it was just the once!”
“It was!” I fiddled with the sleeves of my cassock. “Just once. I swear it . . . Only with more than one nun.”
Here's the limited edition omnibus (now sold out).
“What’s cooking?” Snorri wrinkled his nose.
“Cow.” I stirred the broth. “I’m doing what every good mariner does when all the food has run out. I’m improvising.”
“Are … are those boots?” Snorri leaned in, frowning.
“Before they were boots they were cow.”
“They still smell like boots.”
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
...
July 17, 2023
My complete review of The New World is published at Before We Go Blog.
“Being on a ship is rather like being in gaol. I can say this with authority, having spent time in both.”
The New World continues the story of Mark Lawrence’s fantasy odd couple, Jalan Kendeth and Snorri ver Snagason, after the conclusion of his brilliant Red Queen’s War trilogy, which began with Prince of Fools and continued with The Liar’s Key and The Wheel of Osheim. Previously included as part of The Red Queen’s War omnibus from Grim Oak Press, The New World is now available as a standalone novella through Amazon.
Formerly a playboy prince, Jalan has been appointed a cardinal by Pope Gomst III. Yes, apparently Father Gomst from the Broken Empire trilogy has received a promotion since his Emperor of Thorns days.
The premise of The New World is that Cardinal Jalan is sent on a voyage to America, nominally to serve as a missionary. The story itself revolves around the journey rather than the destination:
“The good thing about being a cardinal was that I got the biggest cabin on the ship. The bad thing was that I was in a cabin. On a ship.”
The story itself is a lot of fun. There’s seasickness, mutiny, and even some of Lawrence’s subtle Star Trek humor (not necessarily in that order). I laughed out loud several times while reading The New World, particularly during Jalan’s ill-fated chess match:
“I’m a cardinal! I push bishops around for a living.”
Mark Lawrence fans who enjoy playing “I Spy a Taproot” will be more than satisfied with this novella, which also features appearances by the enigmatic Dr. Elias Taproot, the key character who unifies Mark Lawrence’s greater universe across his trilogies.
If you love the Red Queen’s War trilogy as much as I do, be sure to check out The New World. Jalan is such a vibrant narrator, always bursting with incisive humor, self-deprecating and otherwise. It’s truly a joy spending more quality time with fantasy’s greatest odd couple, Jalan and Snorri, and their supporting cast.
“Being on a ship is rather like being in gaol. I can say this with authority, having spent time in both.”
The New World continues the story of Mark Lawrence’s fantasy odd couple, Jalan Kendeth and Snorri ver Snagason, after the conclusion of his brilliant Red Queen’s War trilogy, which began with Prince of Fools and continued with The Liar’s Key and The Wheel of Osheim. Previously included as part of The Red Queen’s War omnibus from Grim Oak Press, The New World is now available as a standalone novella through Amazon.
Formerly a playboy prince, Jalan has been appointed a cardinal by Pope Gomst III. Yes, apparently Father Gomst from the Broken Empire trilogy has received a promotion since his Emperor of Thorns days.
The premise of The New World is that Cardinal Jalan is sent on a voyage to America, nominally to serve as a missionary. The story itself revolves around the journey rather than the destination:
“The good thing about being a cardinal was that I got the biggest cabin on the ship. The bad thing was that I was in a cabin. On a ship.”
The story itself is a lot of fun. There’s seasickness, mutiny, and even some of Lawrence’s subtle Star Trek humor (not necessarily in that order). I laughed out loud several times while reading The New World, particularly during Jalan’s ill-fated chess match:
“I’m a cardinal! I push bishops around for a living.”
Mark Lawrence fans who enjoy playing “I Spy a Taproot” will be more than satisfied with this novella, which also features appearances by the enigmatic Dr. Elias Taproot, the key character who unifies Mark Lawrence’s greater universe across his trilogies.
If you love the Red Queen’s War trilogy as much as I do, be sure to check out The New World. Jalan is such a vibrant narrator, always bursting with incisive humor, self-deprecating and otherwise. It’s truly a joy spending more quality time with fantasy’s greatest odd couple, Jalan and Snorri, and their supporting cast.
February 7, 2024
I forgot how much I missed Jalan and Snorri. I hope ML finds time for this series again!
June 28, 2023
I miss Jalan and Snorri adventures! Please, bring them back, mr. Lawrence, sooner rather than later!
July 1, 2023
I missed Jalan Kendeth, and this novella didn't disappoint in bringing him back to life for me, albeit for just over an hour or so. I hope that Mark Lawrence will keep writing to expand on this narrative, because I want more.
January 15, 2024
Man I really missed Jalan and his antics.
February 12, 2024
Oh Jalan and Snorri, how I've missed you.
September 19, 2023
I didn’t know how much I missed Jalan and Snorri until I read this novella, damn if Jalan is not one of the best fantasy characters of this century!
Hopefully Mr Lawrence continues the series and we get to read more adventures of the duo
Hopefully Mr Lawrence continues the series and we get to read more adventures of the duo
February 13, 2024
I was extremely excited to get stuck into "The New World" and dive back into this world. I wasn't at all disappointed, and I'm hoping this is just the start of a whole new adventure for Jalen and Snorri.
June 4, 2023
A glimpse into Jalan and Snorri's mad ride over the ocean to the new world. Expect lots of excitement and you won't be disappointed. If you've never read about Jalan (I haven't yet) all its done is whet my appetite for more. Give it a try, it's a short read and then go and get the rest of Lawrence's books (I'm getting them now).
June 10, 2023
I had never read any of the red Queen books so knew nothing about snorri and jal, absolutely loved this story, so much so that I have purchased the previous books with them in
July 7, 2023
Two of my favorite characters are from Mark Lawrence's Red Queen's War Series. And the pair is back for this what I hope is a new series of novellas featuring Prince Jalan Kendeth and his pal Snorri ver Snagason, a viking with a dry sense humor. The ending of this novella leads one to believe more will be coming. I hope so. I do love me some novella series like Murderbot or Penric & Desdemona.
July 22, 2023
Can I rate a book lower just on the basis I wanted more of it?...no?
September 3, 2023
It was good to get back to Jalan and Snorri I’ve missed these two. This was a great little story but it has been left open for an even bigger adventure that I hope gets finished sooner rather than later.
October 7, 2023
Just an excellent short story about Jalan and Snorri that was very fun and a nice trip down memory lane. This actually feels like a beginning of a brand new trilogy, and the author suggests it us so I have my fingers crossed. I would LOVE to read another Red Queen Trilogy. I will also say that the story, although it could well be the intro to something much larger, is fairly self-contained and works fine as a story in it's own right.
June 6, 2023
That was a fun little outing with Jalan and Snorri. Jalan Kendeth, Prince and Cardinal, may be the most entertaining character I’ve ever met. I’d love more of this tale!
September 24, 2023
Mark Lawrence and his greatest team strikes back again
With all due respect to the terrifying young nuns, and a very thorny Emperor.... Jal and Snori are the best team ever.
The new Pope sends Cardinal Kendeth to the new world.... For defiling multiple nuns. Typical Jalen.
There is more of couse. It is dark of course. And the secret hero of these tales, Dr Taproot, makes an appearance and does his best to help Jalen's silly ass..... Of course!
Brilliant, funny, and replete with old friends and villains both old & new.
Man how I missed these tales. Please finish the stories.
With all due respect to the terrifying young nuns, and a very thorny Emperor.... Jal and Snori are the best team ever.
The new Pope sends Cardinal Kendeth to the new world.... For defiling multiple nuns. Typical Jalen.
There is more of couse. It is dark of course. And the secret hero of these tales, Dr Taproot, makes an appearance and does his best to help Jalen's silly ass..... Of course!
Brilliant, funny, and replete with old friends and villains both old & new.
Man how I missed these tales. Please finish the stories.
July 21, 2023
Such a fun short story! Having recently finished the Red Queen’s War trilogy, I was happy to discover this! I definitely hope to read more of these characters in the future, but until then I have a few more Mark Lawrence books ready to go 😀
May 16, 2024
So thankful to this short story, bringing back two of my favourite characters of Mark’s. The dialogue is so much fun. Loved it… petitioning for more Jalan and Snorri!
January 22, 2025
So good! I can't wait for the complete story. I know he has other projects, and this was just a beginning, but it's wonderful so far! Jalan and Snorri are two of my favorite characters.
September 4, 2023
Just like old times
This short story only took me a couple of hours to read but I got all of the good Jalan feels that i hoped for. I wish I was going to be seeing more of Jalan and Snorii sometime but if you enjoyed the trilogy you’ll enjoy this one.
Jalan is being sent to the new world on a mission from the Pope after a scandal involving no fewer than 4 nuns and as you could imagine the voyage doesn’t go smoothly.
This short story only took me a couple of hours to read but I got all of the good Jalan feels that i hoped for. I wish I was going to be seeing more of Jalan and Snorii sometime but if you enjoyed the trilogy you’ll enjoy this one.
Jalan is being sent to the new world on a mission from the Pope after a scandal involving no fewer than 4 nuns and as you could imagine the voyage doesn’t go smoothly.
June 27, 2023
Great book
This is an excellent adventure story with a fair smattering of humour.
Enjoyable return of old characters while introducing new ones.
This is an excellent adventure story with a fair smattering of humour.
Enjoyable return of old characters while introducing new ones.
June 5, 2023
My favorite scoundrel gets another novella! If Lawrence would write 75 books about Jalan and Snorri I would read every single one of them. This novella takes place after The Red Queen’s War trilogy and for that I’m thankful because the series ended with Jalan getting a gig few would expect (iykyk). So, we get to have a taste of how his new venture is going. In pure Jalan fashion, it’s going hysterically. If you like to laugh and haven’t read The Red Queen’s War trilogy, run to grab them.
June 5, 2023
More please!
This is a fun Jalan Kendrick short story, but it left me wanting to know what happens next! Please finish the story, Mark!
This is a fun Jalan Kendrick short story, but it left me wanting to know what happens next! Please finish the story, Mark!
June 7, 2023
Wonderful. So great to more of Jal and Snorri! Fabulous story. Hopefully there will be more of this.
July 11, 2023
I’m really glad I finally got around to this book! It’s been awhile since I’ve read a Jalan and Snorri story and I found myself instantly brought back to the world of the Broken Empire. It was a nostalgic read as I hadn’t read a story set in the Broken Empire since high school and I really enjoyed it. A friend of mine and I were talking about Mark Lawrence’s work and agreed that he is incredibly quotable and rememberable, and The New World doesn’t disappoint! I have a special love for the Red Queen’s War because of how much it made me laugh at moments. Loved this story and would have gladly read a full novel based on this. Found myself wishing it continued on past its conclusion, but I was content with the ending.
June 18, 2025
A fun continuation of the adventures of Jalan and Snorri. The main thing holding this back from a 5-star rating is that it feels incomplete. It is also not as polished as Mark’s traditionally published novels. If this is ever expanded into a full novel it will be purchased instantly and I’m sure it will achieve 5-stars. I look forward to reading more of Mark Lawrence’s short fiction, especially his other Red Queen’s War stories.
July 10, 2023
This novella definitely has full-story potential, and I hope Mark Lawrence capitalizes on it soon. I'm very intrigued to see how the events of The Broken Empire world have affected North America, and Ill never be upset about getting to see Snorri and Jalan together again
8/10
8/10
August 16, 2023
I hope this turns into an actual book
July 5, 2023
Qué bueno reencontrarme con Snorri y Jalan después de tanto tiempo.
Esta novela corta me dejó con ganas de más y ojalá que Mark Lawrence vuelva a estos personajes en el futuro.
Esta novela corta me dejó con ganas de más y ojalá que Mark Lawrence vuelva a estos personajes en el futuro.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews