Boxed Set: The Legends Of Corin an Fol: The Crystal Crown Trilogy

The Legends of Ansu #4–6 omnibus

by J.W. Webb

Pawn of Destiny

His parents murdered by raiders and his childhood love lost to drinking and wildness, Corin an Fol’s only desire is to escape his troubled past. But the meddling gods have other ideas for this former mercenary and rebel. The Witch at the Ford urges Corin seek out his ‘real’ father in the mountains, and on returning to his village, Corin finds Silon the Merchant waiting for him with dire news of the High King’s death and the loss of his Crystal Crown.

The usurper is Caswallon, an ambitious sorcerer who seeks to crush all Four Kingdoms, his only challenger, the feisty newly-crowned, Queen Ariane. Silon persuades Corin an Fol to ride out and find the beleaguered Queen as she seeks council from her goddess deep inside Caswallon’s stolen realm. Little does Corin know that as he embarks on this journey, the fates have chosen him for the fulcrum, the deciding pawn in the third and final war of the gods.

Set against Corin are spirits, goblins, dragons, sorcerers, rival mercenaries, and worst of all, Caswallon’s ace hand -- the master assassin Rael of Crenna. Aided by Queen Ariane’s champion and the giant Northman, Barin, Corin an Fol must journey over land and sea, cross dimensions and fight numerous foes before he is ready to face his nemesis at Laras Lassladden the island that shifts through space and time.

1400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 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

[Myra Hoare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading these books which were filled with action and suspense. I would like to recommednd a better proof reader as there are many spelling and gramatical mistakes but still couldn't put the book down. I see there are other stories of Corin an Fol but I am reluctant to read them as they must come inbetween this boxed set but perhaps the spin offfs will be good. This is a gifted storyteller and look forward to more adventures

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding box set! The life of Corin an Fol, the long swordsman, Gray Wolf, outcast, troublesome and legend. These books have everything I love in a good read! Good verses evil, magic, fighting, betrayal, love, death and then throw in some myth and legend add some Celtic flare !

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome read.

Completely enjoyed this series. Would recommend to anyone that likes adventure. My adult son started reading when I told him about it.