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An Empire of Tears
Outlaw, mercenary, assassin. Prodigy.
Bred to kill, Gryl is scarred by the foul sorceries woven beneath his flesh and castrated to ensure he would have no love save for the blade. To his masters he was just another slave amidst the legion of remorseless prodigies. But Gryl had always been different.
Years after the failed invasion of the Shytan Empire he survives in hostile territory by selling his sword and hiding from those seeking to exploit him. Then a chance encounter with an enigmatic priest and his misfit charges offers Gryl the opportunity for penance, the chance to be a part of something not steeped in pain and death. Peace is fleeting, however.
Enemies amass and threaten his newfound family but Gryl will do anything to protect them, no matter how much blood must be spilled.
Bred to kill, Gryl is scarred by the foul sorceries woven beneath his flesh and castrated to ensure he would have no love save for the blade. To his masters he was just another slave amidst the legion of remorseless prodigies. But Gryl had always been different.
Years after the failed invasion of the Shytan Empire he survives in hostile territory by selling his sword and hiding from those seeking to exploit him. Then a chance encounter with an enigmatic priest and his misfit charges offers Gryl the opportunity for penance, the chance to be a part of something not steeped in pain and death. Peace is fleeting, however.
Enemies amass and threaten his newfound family but Gryl will do anything to protect them, no matter how much blood must be spilled.
- GenresFantasy
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2018
About the author
Tim Marquitz
109 books215 followersTim Marquitz is the author of the Demon Squad series, The Enemy of My Enemy series (Kurtherian Gambit) along with Michael Anderle, the Blood War Trilogy, co-author of the Dead West series, as well as several standalone books, and numerous anthology appearances alongside the biggest names in fantasy and horror. Tim also collaborated on Memoirs of a MACHINE, the story of MMA pioneer John Machine Lober.
"Horror becomes art when it flows from the pen of Tim Marquitz." ~ Bobby D. Whitney - BookWenches
"Witty, sarcastic and hilarious." Michelle - Publishers Weekly
"Horror becomes art when it flows from the pen of Tim Marquitz." ~ Bobby D. Whitney - BookWenches
"Witty, sarcastic and hilarious." Michelle - Publishers Weekly
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 14, 2018
I don't have flowery words today, my mind just isnt coming up with them. Just know that reading about Gryls journey though life via a series of smaller chapters each almost like a small story in an anthology was a pleasure and they call connected beautifully with the next. I loved this book beginning to end and found it thoroughly entertaining. Dark, dramatic and deliciously deep.
I can't wait for the next one, superb.
I can't wait for the next one, superb.
July 12, 2018
Have no doubt, Gryl is a killer. A warrior born to the sword, a man touched by dark magic whose only true knowledge is that of the sharp blade sheathed at his side. He has killed and he will kill again. Least of all, he has brought down his fair share of Thrak Berserkers single-handed (monstrous beasts with lightning speed, usually only defeated by groups of warriors). In short, Gryl is a fearsome fighter. Yet there is an element of good in him, steering 'An Empire of Tears' out of the realms of Grimdark and into Dark Fantasy. Violent as he is, Gryl is not a wanton murderer.
Marquitz paints characters and landscapes with masterful skill, the story moving along with smooth, seamless progression and at an addictive pace. An Empire of Tears was brilliant, simply brilliant, I loved every last little morsel Marquitz served up. Looking forward to reading more from this series to see where Marquitz takes us and how Gryl will fair in a dangerous land about to become even more so. I hope he survives.
Highly recommended for fans of Dark, Grimdark and Heroic Fantasy.
Marquitz paints characters and landscapes with masterful skill, the story moving along with smooth, seamless progression and at an addictive pace. An Empire of Tears was brilliant, simply brilliant, I loved every last little morsel Marquitz served up. Looking forward to reading more from this series to see where Marquitz takes us and how Gryl will fair in a dangerous land about to become even more so. I hope he survives.
Highly recommended for fans of Dark, Grimdark and Heroic Fantasy.
July 8, 2018
I've read a lot of Tim's stuff over the years but this is probably one of the best books he has ever written. It is layered, complex and the central premise setting an outcast soldier left behind after a failed invasion makes for compelling reading.
As usual Tims characters are detailed and nuanced and while there is significantly less comedy in this than in Demon Squad it still retains a dark comedic edge at times which serves it well.
I really liked the setting and world building and the story telling with current action and flashbacks works well. Some of the supporting cast characters are very well done and really add depth to the story
I think when Tim writes fantasy like this there are few authors I would rather read I now await book 2!
As usual Tims characters are detailed and nuanced and while there is significantly less comedy in this than in Demon Squad it still retains a dark comedic edge at times which serves it well.
I really liked the setting and world building and the story telling with current action and flashbacks works well. Some of the supporting cast characters are very well done and really add depth to the story
I think when Tim writes fantasy like this there are few authors I would rather read I now await book 2!
September 30, 2018
Could been so much better !!
This author has the whole world of fantasy to find a good story line and he chooses to use rape,molestation of a young boy from a complete scumbag .oh and the main character is sleeping a couple of feet away and does nothing but cover his ears so he doesn't have to hear the child molester getting his jolly's on the poor kid.This is just one of many situations the author tries to weave in this sad story full of characters and plenty of victimized children.The pacing of the authors writing from one episode,to the next doesn't flow with the characters and the world built around them .
This author has the whole world of fantasy to find a good story line and he chooses to use rape,molestation of a young boy from a complete scumbag .oh and the main character is sleeping a couple of feet away and does nothing but cover his ears so he doesn't have to hear the child molester getting his jolly's on the poor kid.This is just one of many situations the author tries to weave in this sad story full of characters and plenty of victimized children.The pacing of the authors writing from one episode,to the next doesn't flow with the characters and the world built around them .
August 30, 2018
The tale of a dark hero
This book was a great find, that exceeded my expectations.
Dark, moody, action packed and very addictive.. I am eager for the next installment.
This book was a great find, that exceeded my expectations.
Dark, moody, action packed and very addictive.. I am eager for the next installment.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews