The Glass Throne

The Legends of Ansu #6

by J.W. Webb

Roger Garland

With the crown whole again and the desert war won, Corin and his allies return north where another war has just started. Queen Ariane, having freed one city from the sorcerer Caswallon, discovers that attack a ploy, and the sorcerer’s second army has captured her capital, Wynais. With enemies on all sides and closing fast, Ariane decides to take the fight to Caswallon. Outnumbered and outmaneuvered Ariane’s forces cannot last long...

Caswallon, hearing of his enemies success re-forging the crown, sends Vaarg the Dragon south to destroy them. During the attack Corin and friends are lost, Zallerak and Prince Tarin flee with the crown, while Corin and Tamersane stumble blindly into the mythical land of the Rorchai, a place where they are both expected and most unwelcome...

As winter’s hold deepens throughout the Four Kingdoms, and Caswallon’s net tightens, Corin, Queen Ariane, Prince Tarin and Tamersane, find themselves not only fighting for survival but also for the continued existence of their world. Meanwhile, far to the north Shallan dreams of seeing her lover again, but she and Barin face a sea of foes as they cross troll-infested lands to reach the besieged city of Car Carranis. Corin has vowed to join her there but his chances look slimmer by the hour, and even if he survives the horrors sent against him how can he reach his beloved Shallan before that city falls?

The Glass Throne concludes Corin an Fol’s story when he has to confront his greatest enemy and in doing so fulfill his destiny. But time is running out. The Gods have returned to Ansu to face their terrible brother Old Night who’s seeking to claim back his planet. And so, the final lines are now drawn for a battle fought not only on land and sea but in the skies high above...

  

Genres: Fantasy

486 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 2, 2017

About the author

Lost In The Woods
I was born near Doncaster England in the early sixties but later moved south to Sussex, where I lived for many years. One of my (several schools) was at Battle, a small town named after that historic conflict in 1066. You know the one, it culminated with poor Harold getting that arrow in his eye and those rude Normans invading our green and pleasant land. Growing up so close to that scene of ancient carnage awarded me a fascination for all things Dark Age. I'd fallen victim to a weird and random imagination, resulting in a love of epic stories and epic story telling. This affliction prompted me to delve deep into the worlds of Tolkien, Peake, Eddison and Moorcock. Also about this time I commenced drawing imaginary maps and inventing stories about wonderfully nasty folk, doing wonderfully nasty things, whilst pent up in gloomy unpleasant places.

Then at 18 years daft, I found myself thrust deep into the Queen's Household Cavalry. How I arrived there I cannot quite recall. The result was a sharp dose of reality. But not a cure – the affliction ran deep. I left the regiment, and for a time wandered hazy through life hitting nails with hammers, sailing brigantines through southern waters, drinking venomous concoctions with venomous companions, and yes, reading lots more ghastly fantasy books. At 27 years I became to a degree sensible. I married my beloved Rae, a watercolour artist and passionate Celt, and got a sensible career hauling trucks around the British countryside. The trouble with hauling trucks around the British countryside is that it lets the mind ramble willy nilly, when not being tortured by local radio. The result of that rambling was more stories flittering around inside this errant trucker's dizzy head.

Then, during one dark winter night back in 1993, whilst parked forlorn outside a dreary inn, something profound happened. I stumbled into Corin an Fol: a moody, rather difficult individual, mooching about in a deep tangled wood (my imagination). That wood grew into a world (not as hard as it sounds when you write fantasy stuff). The world became Ansu, home to all manner of mismatched mortals and grumpy gods. Late 2001 a plot appeared through the murky trees. It found Corin lost and wandering and introduced him to some other unruly types, resulting in The Shattered Crown. This epic debut was scrawled out with biro ink on paper and still lurks somewhere close. I'm too scared to read it. But The Shattered Crown couldn't contain its characters. These were (and still are) a very rough lot. They demanded a sequel. Instead (just to show who the boss was,) I focussed on a prequel, Fall of Gol being the result. But still the characters would not leave me alone. And so started The Legends of Ansu a forthcoming series of otherworldly tales, mostly involving Corin and his friends.

In late 2012 Rae lost her battle with cancer. I had always promised her a Cornish ghost story based on one of her evocative paintings. And so was born a novella called The Haven. A spooky yarn blending mystery and suspense with past and present. I hope that she likes it. We both loved Cornwall where we lived for many years. During our time there I met with Roger Garland the Tolkien Illustrator, who kindly consented to creating some fabulous images and illustrations for my work. And also designing this superb website! During 2013 I left the world of big wheels behind and focussed instead on writing full time. I moved to Georgia, married my gorgeous former shipmate Joanne, who I've known for 30 years. Since then I have rewritten Fall of Gol shortening it's title to Gol and finally (with substantial assistance from my erudite and excellent editor, Catherine Romano) re-shaped The Shattered Crown into a rivetingly nasty read. Now after twenty-one years in the woods, I am more than ready to unleash these first two offerings in the Ansu series along with The Haven. The third legend: The Lost Prince will be available later

Reviews

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This the 4th book in this great epic saga once again did not disappoint! It is full of sword and sorcery, with great epic scenarios which are breathtaking in their ruthlessness and brutality but also in their mastery. Corin an Fol is once again at the centre of everything, he is after all the fulcrum and the one chosen by the Gods on whom all else depends for survival or destruction of the four kingdoms of Ansu. I love that he is surrounded by so many great warriors who stick together through thick and thin but more so I really love that J.W. Webb casts such strong warrior characters for women. Ariane - queen of swords, Shallan and Zakei hold their own against the most evil of men such as Hagan and Rael Hakennon and anyone else thrown at them. Everything is waiting for the rightful king to collect Callenak, the crystal sword, wear the Tatara and sit on the reclaimed crystal throne thus forming the necessary triangulation of power to repeal the evil gaining ground so quickly in Ansu. The many Gods on the other hand are about to fight their own war, apart from using the humans as their pawns and the fight is one of epic proportions that terrifies all present. These books are a real masterpiece right up there with Game of Thrones, and The Lord of the Rings, so for all those who enjoy such epic fantasy I highly recommend this series.

[Cale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was giving “The Glass Throne” a solid ‘4 stars’ until the ending. When they turned to 5. The latest book of the “The Legends of Ansu” series by J.W. Webb keeps the passionate and energetic intensity of its predecessors, like unremitting action, witty repartee, an engaging plot and very, very interesting characters. Yet it's also different, there is a definite development of all the story threads weaved that far (resolved or otherwise) and they converge well. It is still a light read, with more emphasis on action than on motivations, but this installment offers more complexity and the story at large wraps up satisfyingly. The first book was an interesting start, but it's truly only an appetizer. The second is my least favorite, and the third is better. But in my mind this is the best of them all. It is so inspired, and Webb has several surprises in store, some easily anticipated and some less so, all the while following a memorable group of adventurers and a nice cast of secondary characters whom I’ll miss dearly! A recommended read, but I suggest starting with the other books before this one.

[Charlie Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is so thrilling to watch an author developing before your eyes. Each time I read one of J.W. Webb’s books (this is now my 5th one) I keep thinking it won’t be as good as the last, and I am always proven incorrect—these books just get better and better. “The Glass Throne” in THE LEGENDS OF ANSU series is a fun, undemanding heroic fantasy, but this new book is on a different level now. I'm not going to go into plot (because spoilers) but this is a vividly imagined world, with a great sense of place and history, some original concepts and engaging characters. Fantasy is a field that is very prone to repetition and staleness, and cliché, but this is one of the freshest books I've read in the genre for a long time. I think it’s because of the characters, most of whom have such fully-realized personalities (at least the major players) that it doesn’t feel like a copycat of anything and just stands proudly on its own in a verrrry crowded field of imitators. Part 5 is going to the top of my TBR list, if I can stick waiting another year Like I really have a choice, ha). Recommend for older readers.

[Christina Morley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I own the Complet Chronicles of Corin an Fol (The Legends of Ansu Books 1 - 7) but I also received an audiobook code from the author for The Glass Throne. The narrator, Andrew McDermott, makes these stories so enjoyable. You don't have to read the series from the beginning, but you should at least read the first two books in The Crystal Crown Trilogy before reading The Glass Throne.

J.W. Webb creates colorful characters in a descriptive world. I've been following Corin an Fol since the beginning along with his friends. Corin finally accepts his destiny but then he sets it aside as he runs off to rescue the woman he loves. Nothing is ever easy and Corin has many enemies, including otherworldly ones. His enemies often make the mistake of underestimating him and his friends.

Three young men, Tarin, Cale, and Doyle, are fun to watch as they grow into fine young men. The ending is bittersweet, but some of the characters you'll come to love are in the next book, The Emerald Queen. If you like lots of battles and good winning over evil, then you will enjoy this series.

[Brian Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started this last of the series, I didn't think it could be better than The Lost Prince, I was wrong. I really, really liked this series. The hero was flawed. The is not to say he wasn't great character. He had his fears and impossible tasks to perform. That being said, I very highly recommend the series starting with GOL. Then you can judge for yourself. The author is extremely talented and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend anything he writes.

[Roger]

The Glass Throne: A Legends of Ansu fantasy (Crystal Crown Trilogy Book 3), my fifth read from author J.W. Webb. Great characters, non-stop action, a great read/listen, the conclusion of the Corin an Fol saga. I was given an Audible copy of this book in January & am voluntarily reviewing. Andrew McDermott’s excellent narration & accent again add to the book's enjoyment. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Peg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series. Great characters, great plot and the ending was awesome. BUT..... for the love of everything holy, to the author JW Webb, please edit this book!! I couldn’t even count the amount of errors in typos, punctuation. Even the characters names were misspelled at times. It took my focus away from the amazing story and I had to make my mind look pass them time and again. I will edit it for you just to clean it up!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tidied up nicely. A good series, a few aspects of the writing that should be looked at. There is even a spot in the middle of a chapter that tells the reader about another spin off series if they wish to follow some of the characters. I think this would be better suited at the end of the book.

[Karsa Orlong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Loved this story. It wrapped up all the story lines and also opened a few more. My only gripe is that this one seemed a little rushed.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't wait for to get book 2.

[Duane Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 7, The Glass Throne

This story has been wonderful to read. The characters are so strong. However, this book has had hundreds of typos and punctuation errors.