Swords, Cider, and Other Distractions

Glass Immortals #0.6

by Brian McClellan

Chaos is the word of the day in the provinces of the Ossan Empire. The city of Holikan has risen up in revolt, only to be put down again by the Ossan Foreign Legion under the command of Demir Grappo. But that wasn’t the plan, and Demir has fled his responsibilities after witnessing the brutality of his own troops. He wanders aimlessly, a husk of his former self, until his quest to escape his guilt crosses paths with a foreigner on a mission of her own.

Far to the north, a holy sword has been stolen from the Court of Lilies. Squire Ciata tracks the thieves to an Ossan guild-family. She does not know the rules of this strange land, only that the sword does not belong to them. An army of enforcers stands between her and its return. A hopeless cause, if not for the help of a broken young man she meets along the way.

Genres: Fantasy, Novella, Fiction, Short Stories

112 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2025

About the author

Brian McClellan is an American epic fantasy author from Cleveland, Ohio. He is known for his acclaimed Powder Mage Universe and essays on the life and business of being a writer.

Brian now lives on the side of a mountain in Utah with his wife, Michele, where he writes books and nurses a crippling video game addiction.

Brian's novels include the Powder Mage Trilogy (Promise of Blood, The Crimson Campaign, and The Autumn Republic), Gods of Blood and Powder (Sins of Empire, Wrath of Empire, and Blood of Empire), and Valkyrie Collections (Uncanny Collateral)

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10 on regular scale (probably a 5 star novella)

This was just plain fun. A quick novella introducing a new character and showing us a glimpse of earlier Demir. 80 pages and can be knocked out in a sitting or two. The characters are very overpowered/skilled which lessened some of the drama but the internal conflicts they faced were engaging.


Hard to ask much more from a prequel novella, had a little bit of everything in it, but i wouldn’t have minded a longer story. Keeping my eyes peeled for glass immortals book 2!

[John Mendiola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for novellas set in worlds that I already love. In the Shadow of Lightning is one of the coolest first fantasy books in a series I've read. This is a fun story that introduces a new character while giving us a glimpse of Demir post his great shame. Set against a background of a Balkan states civil war, we follow a more straightforward Squire as she encounters Demir and a band of local characters. The pace moves quickly, the story is pretty uncomplicated yet has interesting parts with good character moment.

For a novella, I'd say this is about a 4.5 for me!

[MrJackFrosty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was such a good time, fast, fun, and the perfect palate cleanser while I’m waiting Glass Immortals #2 hopefully in the near future.

The standout for me was the relationship between Demir and Ciata. Their chemistry and rapport gave the story a lot of heart, and it made the quick runtime feel satisfying rather than rushed.

And, like with Powder Mage, Brian McClellan just nails a specific aesthetic I always fall for: an old-world setting on the cusp of technological transition and upheaval, caught between swords and skill, black powder, and industrialisation. Add in the European-flavoured uniforms and atmosphere, threaded together with an interesting wrinkle: a unique but grounded magic system. It’s the kind of touch that makes it more compelling to me than straightforward historical fiction.

I don’t typically enjoy novellas as many can linger in a awkward stage then just cut off, but this one was short and sweet. More than anything, it worked as a clean refresher for a setting I hadn’t visited since 2022, re-centering the magic system, characters, and motivations without forcing a full reread of the main plot.

[Florian Armas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sword, Cider, and Other Distractions is a pseudo-historical fantasy set in a fictional yet easily recognizable version of the 18th-century Balkans and Ottoman Empire. The novel has a good start – clever, engaging, and filled with subtle humor and a Dickensian philosophical undertone: “Everyone was right. Everyone was wrong.”

The main character, Ciata, is an aspiring Knight on a quest to retrieve a stolen magical sword. Along the way, she saves the life of Demir, a glassdancer. Ciata is full of life and enthusiasm – but sorely lacking in experience. With the finesse of a hammer, she storms a city guarded by hundreds in an attempt to recover the sword. It doesn’t go well. Or rather, it ends well only because Demir repays his debt.

Demir, a man full of contradictions and haunted by past mistakes, becomes the real character of the story.

In the end, the novel presents a unique and immersive world.

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hedonism, PTSD and a fetch quest

This was a great, quick novella with a good pace and great characters. The story was nothing special but the way our old friend Demir Grappo is portrayed, after committing what could be called a small-scale genocide, crafts a correct yet sad image of PTSD.

Juxtaposed with the happy-go-lucky but zealous Ciata, this creates a great dynamic.

The writing is not very flowery nor very simple. He's clearly a student of Brandon Sanderson, where the prose is merely a tool to craft and/or enhance the story and not an achievement in and of itself.

This is BMC's second novella in this universe, and having read Montego, I can confidently say that while I enjoyed the full novels of his that I've read, I believe he and his style really shine in this format. I said this about Richard Swan as well and tbh I stand by what I said. Maybe I just prefer reading novella's. Who knows?

[Noreen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Gritty Fantasy with Heart”

Swords, Cider, and Other Distractions packs an epic punch in a small package. Demir Grappo’s fall from commander to haunted wanderer and Ciata’s relentless quest for the stolen holy sword deliver not just action, but emotional depth.

Brian creates a world of politics, guilt, and redemption that feels as real as it is thrilling. In a few pages you’ll find rich world-building, sharp prose, and characters who linger with you long after the final scene.

Perfect for fans of Joe Abercrombie or Brandon Sanderson novellas, a quick, gritty, soulful read you won’t forget.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Possible Triggers:
Death | PTSD

Final Thoughts:
This book takes place before the events in “In the Shadow of Lightning”. As such we get to see a bit of Demir right after the traumatic event that really shapes him. I really liked seeing how raw and broken and conflicted he was (that sounds SO MEAN) but it felt very relatable. Tasty little morsel to get you excited for the upcoming book 2 of the series. Absolutely enjoyed this new character and seeing more of the magic (and other) that makes this fantasy world so interesting.

[Bryan Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope we get to hear more from Ciata in future work. She's a perfect foil to Demi's brooding and scheming. This provides an enlightening look at Demir's mindset after Holikan. Dude was struggling and it seems like Ciata plays a role in helping him heal.

There are great action sequences throughout, from one on one fencing matches, to all out brawls. Fencing duels shouldn't take very long, and McClellan describes them beautifully.

This is a fun, action-packed read, and it also develops Demir's character and provides context for where he's at in the main story line.

[Bret · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an enjoyable novella that didn't take too long to read. A very interesting and unique cast of characters and world. The action was great and well done. Having not read book 1, I was a little lost about how the glass powers, tools and sorcery worked but I still enjoyed it regardless. Overall, it's a good read and I definitely want to continue reading this series!

[Anomander Rake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Táto krátka novela obsahuje všetko, čo máme na McClellanovej tvorbe radi - dobre vykreslené postavy a svižnú akciu. Tiež sa dozvieme viac o Demirovych činoch bezprostredne po masakri v Holikene (naväzuje na prológ v In the Shadow of Lightning).
Preto sa zrejme oplatí prečítať až po tejto prvej časti série.

[Joy Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story with Demir in his very broken state. Still doing good things, just super crazy along the way. Ciata was great too. But what would be even more great? Book 2 of this series that I want so badly. I’m sure it is worth waiting for but I love the world and the magic and the characters and I want more!!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great novella in the Glass Immortals Series. I like most of the characters, the descriptions, the dialogue, most of the plot, and the pace in this novella. I rate this Kindle eBook five out of five stars.

[Adam Bassett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun novella that shows a bit more of the Glass Immortals world. I would recommend that people start with In the Shadow of Lightning before reading this prequel novella, however. While I don't think that's strictly necessary I do think it will make this book more enjoyable.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good, I can't wait for book 2, I hope we get to see the paladins of Selease more in the future. as usual, Brian McClellan has beautiful world building and power dynamics.

[David Kiddell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, quick book with Demir Grappo featured

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book adds another fun dimension to the Glass Immortals literary world.

[Edward Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice short tale

This story is very short, maybe an hour or two at most of reading. But it was lots of fun!

[Philip Gipson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick and enjoyable story. But, if it was a choice between this novella and getting Book #2 faster... well, I'd choose the latter.

[Ben Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I felt the collateral damage kinda undermined the heroes' moral high ground, but otherwise it was a decent short novel

[Hannibal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. it was a good little short story. But I do enjoy his longer books a bit more. But this will hold me over until book 2 gets released.

[Sheila Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little refresher on the Glass Immortals series.

[Joshua Blanchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars Fun little prequel novella that introduces a new character that'll hopefully be back at some point.

[Pedro Marroquín · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buena novela corta sobre la juventud del protagonista principal de la serie, y una protagonista nueva que es verdaderamente “la caña”. Muy fácil de leer y entretenida. B

[Justin Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another really fun and powerful entry in the Glass Immortals series. Really liked the character work and worldbuilding treats here.

[Aaron Carlberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Brian McClellan has an obsession (I'll let you read the book to figure out what it is)...fun, short story that makes me wish the next full length book was done.

[Ben Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

awesome knights and soft core porn. what else do i need??

[ทixi৳ท · Rating 4 out of 5]

the greatest strength of this book was Ciata. i loved her personality and determination. Demi sometimes scared me with his behavior. although he had some funnier moments, but... i liked the fight scenes, they were described quite well. i would love to read more about the knights templar of the goddess Selease. i really liked their dogma.