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A Time of Dragons #4
Tides of Blood and War
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jun 26The Last Ballad of Hope has been heard again.
A song thought buried. A promise thought broken.A few brave souls have dared to stand against evil.
A curse plaguing generations has finally shattered.
What of it?
The Dark One cannot be stopped.
After thousands of years in shadow, Skara Pendain has claimed the name as he would a crown. And with it he has gained the throne of Erador. The east has fallen. The realm of men now bends to his will… or breaks beneath it.
With Baelon Vos cast down, the Dragon Riders—once the last shield of the realm—are his to command. Their fire, their fury, an extension of his dominion. From horizon to horizon, Skara’s rule is absolute.
All but one.
In the south, the Kedradi of Qalanqath refuse to kneel. They do not hide. They do not yield. They are hunters. Drawing Skara’s armies into a trap, they prepare for a clash that will decide the fate of Verda itself. Led by Kassanda Grey and Joran Pendain, the survivors of Skara’s wrath place their faith in the few Riders who still remember their oaths…
…in those who might yet bring about a Time of Dragons.
It is only a vision.
Seen by ten thousand eyes. Paid for with ten thousand lives.
A future that could be—not one that will be.
Because the board is breaking.
While Baelon Vos searches in the dark for a relic that could turn the tide of war, and new heroes draw their line in the hot sands of Kanofell, something far older has awakened.
Something no one can command, not even Daijen Saeth.
The Dragon Lord. The first of his kind.
Malliath.
Freed from the Shadow Realm, the ancient black dragon breathes the air of Verda once more. He remembers it all.
The betrayal.
The chains.
His heart now beats to the ancient song of vengeance.
Skara must turn from conquest to survival. His throne can wait. His war cannot. For what comes next is not a battle for kingdoms…
…but a reckoning.
A duel of man and beast.
Rider against dragon.
And this time, there will be no victor.
Only Death—at last stepping onto the board, to claim them all.
A song thought buried. A promise thought broken.A few brave souls have dared to stand against evil.
A curse plaguing generations has finally shattered.
What of it?
The Dark One cannot be stopped.
After thousands of years in shadow, Skara Pendain has claimed the name as he would a crown. And with it he has gained the throne of Erador. The east has fallen. The realm of men now bends to his will… or breaks beneath it.
With Baelon Vos cast down, the Dragon Riders—once the last shield of the realm—are his to command. Their fire, their fury, an extension of his dominion. From horizon to horizon, Skara’s rule is absolute.
All but one.
In the south, the Kedradi of Qalanqath refuse to kneel. They do not hide. They do not yield. They are hunters. Drawing Skara’s armies into a trap, they prepare for a clash that will decide the fate of Verda itself. Led by Kassanda Grey and Joran Pendain, the survivors of Skara’s wrath place their faith in the few Riders who still remember their oaths…
…in those who might yet bring about a Time of Dragons.
It is only a vision.
Seen by ten thousand eyes. Paid for with ten thousand lives.
A future that could be—not one that will be.
Because the board is breaking.
While Baelon Vos searches in the dark for a relic that could turn the tide of war, and new heroes draw their line in the hot sands of Kanofell, something far older has awakened.
Something no one can command, not even Daijen Saeth.
The Dragon Lord. The first of his kind.
Malliath.
Freed from the Shadow Realm, the ancient black dragon breathes the air of Verda once more. He remembers it all.
The betrayal.
The chains.
His heart now beats to the ancient song of vengeance.
Skara must turn from conquest to survival. His throne can wait. His war cannot. For what comes next is not a battle for kingdoms…
…but a reckoning.
A duel of man and beast.
Rider against dragon.
And this time, there will be no victor.
Only Death—at last stepping onto the board, to claim them all.
957 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 1, 2026
About the author
Philip C. Quaintrell
23 books1,633 followersPhilip started his career as an emergency nurse and began writing the books he’d want to read as a hobby between shifts.
He published his first novel in 2016, and soon began his epic fantasy series, The Echoes Saga which went straight into the Amazon bestsellers list in 4 countries.
Now one of the best-selling indie authors worldwide, Philip lives in Manchester, England with his wife and two young children and is hoping this is just the beginning.
He published his first novel in 2016, and soon began his epic fantasy series, The Echoes Saga which went straight into the Amazon bestsellers list in 4 countries.
Now one of the best-selling indie authors worldwide, Philip lives in Manchester, England with his wife and two young children and is hoping this is just the beginning.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 25, 2026
I genuinely don’t even know where to begin with this book. Philip C. Quaintrell somehow took everything he’s been building across this entire series and delivered something that completely exceeded my expectations. From the very first page of the prologue to the final moments of the epilogue, I was hooked.
The scale of this story has become massive, but it never loses the emotional core that makes the series so addictive. Every chapter raises the stakes and adds more emotional weight to the story. The action is phenomenal, the lore is fascinating, and the atmosphere feels heavy, eerie, and unsettling in the best way. There were multiple moments where I genuinely had to stop and just process what I had read.
What impressed me most was how naturally everything came together. Seeing story threads that have been developing since the beginning of the series finally converge in such a satisfying way was incredible. The book is packed with jaw-dropping moments, shocking twists, and reveals that genuinely caught me off guard.
The level of creativity and world-building in this book is honestly unreal. Some of the locations, creatures, and concepts in this book are among the coolest Philip has written so far. It constantly feels like the world is expanding in ways that feel immersive and meticulously thought out.
This is easily my favorite book in the series and, in my opinion, Philip C. Quaintrell at his absolute best. If you’ve been reading this series and trusting the process, this book rewards that patience in a massive way. Everything truly feels like it has been building toward this moment.
An unforgettable read and one of the most epic fantasy experiences I’ve ever had.
A huge thank you to Philip for giving me the opportunity to read this eARC. It was an absolute privilege to experience this story early and I am very grateful to be a part of this journey.
The scale of this story has become massive, but it never loses the emotional core that makes the series so addictive. Every chapter raises the stakes and adds more emotional weight to the story. The action is phenomenal, the lore is fascinating, and the atmosphere feels heavy, eerie, and unsettling in the best way. There were multiple moments where I genuinely had to stop and just process what I had read.
What impressed me most was how naturally everything came together. Seeing story threads that have been developing since the beginning of the series finally converge in such a satisfying way was incredible. The book is packed with jaw-dropping moments, shocking twists, and reveals that genuinely caught me off guard.
The level of creativity and world-building in this book is honestly unreal. Some of the locations, creatures, and concepts in this book are among the coolest Philip has written so far. It constantly feels like the world is expanding in ways that feel immersive and meticulously thought out.
This is easily my favorite book in the series and, in my opinion, Philip C. Quaintrell at his absolute best. If you’ve been reading this series and trusting the process, this book rewards that patience in a massive way. Everything truly feels like it has been building toward this moment.
An unforgettable read and one of the most epic fantasy experiences I’ve ever had.
A huge thank you to Philip for giving me the opportunity to read this eARC. It was an absolute privilege to experience this story early and I am very grateful to be a part of this journey.
Displaying 1 of 1 review