Ashsworn

The Witch Queen Saga #4

by Simon Shugar

The bonds of blood and vengeance must hold, or all will be lost.

Karn has lost his power, his family, and his place among the Black Guard. Dragged from the battlefield and left to die, he awakens in fractured Rhudoria, a land torn by clan rivalries and ruled—but not united—by the Bear Chieftain. Now, Eirithia’s armies and the Black Guard invade, stealing its people and crushing its defenses.

Amid the chaos, Karn uncovers the Witch Queen's vile schemes. With monsters rising and deviants among them, he must rally Rhudoria’s clans and forge alliances with old enemies, overcoming hatred and rekindling broken bonds.

As the Witch Queen’s plans unfold, Karn must rise from defeat. Can he unite a fractured land in time, or will darkness consume everything? The fate of Rhudoria—and the world—rests on a fragile alliance and a warrior fighting without the power he once wielded.

The war continues. The fight for unity begins.

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2025

About the author

Hey, I’m Simon Shugar—fantasy author hooked on telling bold, emotional, action-heavy stories through raw, first-person journeys. If you like coming-of-age arcs, epic stakes, and human struggles in unreal worlds, you're in the right place!

I’m originally from Oxfordshire, England, now living in North Carolina with my wild little toddler and our very chill (and very spoiled) dog, Jasper. I’ve loved fantasy for as long as I can remember—drawn in by the magic, the grit, and the heart at the center of it all.

I studied game design for a bit, then pivoted into software engineering to pay the bills. But somewhere in between code and chaos, I started writing stories—and once I did, I couldn’t stop. Fast forward to now, I’ve written 13 novels across three trilogies and a standalone, with plenty more on the way.

Reviews

[Jeff Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brothers at last! Karn and Lear figure out who they are. Karn chooses sides. The witch queen is changing people. Nix returns. The Bear is beaten. Tribes unite!

Another great read! Writing is crisp, pacing is fast. Karns journey is amazing. The author is doing a very good job keeping the reader engaged. What's next? Can't wait to find out!

[Dan Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know what you’re getting at this point, good fast paced storyline. Still some odd dialogue for me and it feels like the solution is often get mad after being surprised that the opponent is fast in the initial attack - got a little stale.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Saga Continues!

Nonstop action. Manages to hold your attention page after page. A wonderful adventure populated by memorable characters. Practically perfect in every way!

[Kim Honeywill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

What a fantastic story from the beginning to the end,no fleshing out the story with an extra book with meaningless drivel,kept me right to the end one a fan briiliant.

[Alan Womack · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 stars