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The Night's Road #1
Red Company
WHEN THE MONSTERS COME, DO YOU RUN OR DO YOU STAND?
The war would not come to The Wolf’s Tower, not in the depths of winter. That’s what the old soldiers mutter to each other around their fires and Solace believes them, because old soldiers know more about the business of war than a seventeen-year-old girl ever will.
But Solace has the sight, like her mother who foretold her own death and her mute, troubled brother, and the sight tells her something different than the old soldiers. In its lunatic whispers, the dread stone within her warns that fire and blood are coming to consume them all.
When the village beyond the woods burns one bitter midwinter night, the old soldiers say it is just an accident, a lazy peasant not watching a candle, a spark from an untended fire. Men ride from the castle to help, but everyone says there is nothing to worry about, war has not come to The Wolf’s Tower…
Solace knows different, the fire has come as her dreams foretold and blood will follow on its heels. But no one will believe a seventeen-year girl and her mute brother, especially their father who will not hear of such things in a time when the church is eager for more witches to set upon its pyres.
But the old soldiers are right. War hasn’t come to The Wolf’s Tower in the middle of winter. Beneath a cold and bitter moon, something far worse has arrived on the winter’s breath.
And it is coming for her…
The war would not come to The Wolf’s Tower, not in the depths of winter. That’s what the old soldiers mutter to each other around their fires and Solace believes them, because old soldiers know more about the business of war than a seventeen-year-old girl ever will.
But Solace has the sight, like her mother who foretold her own death and her mute, troubled brother, and the sight tells her something different than the old soldiers. In its lunatic whispers, the dread stone within her warns that fire and blood are coming to consume them all.
When the village beyond the woods burns one bitter midwinter night, the old soldiers say it is just an accident, a lazy peasant not watching a candle, a spark from an untended fire. Men ride from the castle to help, but everyone says there is nothing to worry about, war has not come to The Wolf’s Tower…
Solace knows different, the fire has come as her dreams foretold and blood will follow on its heels. But no one will believe a seventeen-year girl and her mute brother, especially their father who will not hear of such things in a time when the church is eager for more witches to set upon its pyres.
But the old soldiers are right. War hasn’t come to The Wolf’s Tower in the middle of winter. Beneath a cold and bitter moon, something far worse has arrived on the winter’s breath.
And it is coming for her…
- GenresFantasy
497 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 26, 2019
77 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Andy Monk
27 books9 followersI currently live in Suffolk in the United Kingdom and am fortunate enough to be able to devote my time to my three great loves - writing, photography and daydreaming.
As a writer of dark speculative fiction I have published the following novels,
The King of the Winter, A Bad Man's Song, Ghosts in the Blood and the Love of Monsters which form the In The Absence of Light series - a dark vampire fantasy set in 18th century London
The five book Hawker's Drift series - set in a small town in what may, or may not, be the 19th Century American West and follows a disparate cast of characters and their interactions with the town's Mayor. Who may, or may not, be The Devil.
In the Company of Shadows, an ongoing series featuring separate stories set in the same world as In the Absence of Light
The standalone fantasy novel The House of Shells.
Two free novellas, The Burning & A House of the Dead can be obtained via my website www.andymonkbooks.com.
2020 will see the following works published;
Rumville - a three book cycle set within In the Company of Shadows - is the tale of a alcoholic street prostitute dying of syphilis in the slums of 18th century London, who is mysteriously given a second chance to relive her misbegotten life. With the help of a crippled ex-soldier, she attempts to understand what has happened to her and escape her wretched life in the gutter, while discovering all gifts come with a price...
As a writer of dark speculative fiction I have published the following novels,
The King of the Winter, A Bad Man's Song, Ghosts in the Blood and the Love of Monsters which form the In The Absence of Light series - a dark vampire fantasy set in 18th century London
The five book Hawker's Drift series - set in a small town in what may, or may not, be the 19th Century American West and follows a disparate cast of characters and their interactions with the town's Mayor. Who may, or may not, be The Devil.
In the Company of Shadows, an ongoing series featuring separate stories set in the same world as In the Absence of Light
The standalone fantasy novel The House of Shells.
Two free novellas, The Burning & A House of the Dead can be obtained via my website www.andymonkbooks.com.
2020 will see the following works published;
Rumville - a three book cycle set within In the Company of Shadows - is the tale of a alcoholic street prostitute dying of syphilis in the slums of 18th century London, who is mysteriously given a second chance to relive her misbegotten life. With the help of a crippled ex-soldier, she attempts to understand what has happened to her and escape her wretched life in the gutter, while discovering all gifts come with a price...
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 11, 2022
A real page turner of a book, a tale straight from the horrors of Europe's 30 years war. A war that pitted family against family, father against son and all in the name of religion. Into this maelstrom of horror rides a new band of mercenaries, a group of killers not of this world. Their target is an insignificant castle, a remote outpost of some minor east European principality. The question is why? This is a blood soaked tale of honour, treachery and, finally, revenge. This story doesn't have a good ending but, it leads naturally towards a sequel and one that I cannot wait to read.
June 10, 2023
Soooo from the reviews I thought this was going to be quite a sick twisted horror but it was for me quite mild.
A lot happened and then again not a lot happened.
Solace is ridiculously mature with an unbelievable amount of battle knowledge for a 17 year old girl who's been nothing but a princess up to that point.
Anyways it ended in a way I have to read the next book, i am afflicted by the fact i cant not finish a story, so I'm going to give it chance and hope it blows my mind???
A lot happened and then again not a lot happened.
Solace is ridiculously mature with an unbelievable amount of battle knowledge for a 17 year old girl who's been nothing but a princess up to that point.
Anyways it ended in a way I have to read the next book, i am afflicted by the fact i cant not finish a story, so I'm going to give it chance and hope it blows my mind???
February 11, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.75
When The Monsters Come, Do You Run Or Do You Stand
When the village beyond the woods burns, the soldiers of Wolf’s Tower believe it an accident, a stray spark, nothing of concern.
Solace knows different for she has the sight. The fire has come as her dreams have foretold and blood and war and death follows. But no one believes a seventeen-year girl and her mute brother thought stupid.
But death comes, worse than death. And it is intent on finding her.
This is dark. If you think you’re a veteran of grimdark fantasy, read this. It’s horrifying, trilling, disgusting, crass and bloody. The bone-chilling, grotesque serves to manufacture a terrorising ambience.
Solace was a strong character, pushed aside for her gender, age, and presumed fantastical ominous feelings, yet keen to save all despite their doubt. She’s clever, steadfast in her beliefs, and shows extreme love as understanding for her brother who most dismiss as simple-minded and senseless.
My only gripe was the purpose of this massacre which was revealed at the end. I was expecting some epic reason which would set up the next book. Instead, I felt it was a flimsy, petty reason which felt a let down.
If you enjoyed Empire of the Vampire, I would recommend giving this Indie a read - free on Kindle Unlimited (02/2023).
When The Monsters Come, Do You Run Or Do You Stand
”The Devil is about his business!"
When the village beyond the woods burns, the soldiers of Wolf’s Tower believe it an accident, a stray spark, nothing of concern.
Solace knows different for she has the sight. The fire has come as her dreams have foretold and blood and war and death follows. But no one believes a seventeen-year girl and her mute brother thought stupid.
But death comes, worse than death. And it is intent on finding her.
This is dark. If you think you’re a veteran of grimdark fantasy, read this. It’s horrifying, trilling, disgusting, crass and bloody. The bone-chilling, grotesque serves to manufacture a terrorising ambience.
Solace was a strong character, pushed aside for her gender, age, and presumed fantastical ominous feelings, yet keen to save all despite their doubt. She’s clever, steadfast in her beliefs, and shows extreme love as understanding for her brother who most dismiss as simple-minded and senseless.
But she was not a witch and all she had to fight the Devil with was one fat old man and her mute brother.
My only gripe was the purpose of this massacre which was revealed at the end. I was expecting some epic reason which would set up the next book. Instead, I felt it was a flimsy, petty reason which felt a let down.
If you enjoyed Empire of the Vampire, I would recommend giving this Indie a read - free on Kindle Unlimited (02/2023).
September 12, 2025
The best book you've never heard of. This book really took me by surprise. Pros are excellent. It's dark and atmospheric, the imagery is really powerful. The story is great, a seige horror set in a medival castle. Sympathetic characters and twists and turns and terrifying villans. I really enjoyed this book. I finished it in 2 days. I'm not sure how well it lends itself to a series but I'm eager to find out. 5 stars.
August 5, 2022
Excellent.
Well written and different. The characters were brought to life brilliantly. I was fully engrossed from start to finish. Looking forward to the next book.
Well written and different. The characters were brought to life brilliantly. I was fully engrossed from start to finish. Looking forward to the next book.
July 15, 2021
An atmospheric and taut action/horror tale
I bought this book because I found the story blurb and the cover intriguing. I found it to be a tense, spooky book that I stayed up through the night to finish. It read like I was watching a great movie. Thoroughly enjoyable.
I bought this book because I found the story blurb and the cover intriguing. I found it to be a tense, spooky book that I stayed up through the night to finish. It read like I was watching a great movie. Thoroughly enjoyable.
January 21, 2024
Afraid to say I almost DNF and the book ended up being a massive disappointment. I was looking for a story akin to Between Two Fires but this was not it. To me the only mildly interesting things happen in the first and last 30-40 pages, the "horror" is very mild, Solace acting like nothing a sheltered 17 year old noble girl and Ulrich droning on about honor got old real fast, the villains always having somewhere seemingly better to be or just letting the protagonist get away, there's no interesting/memorable characters or deep development, and finally the entire reason behind the story happening(why the bad guys are there in the first place) is the simplest and lamest reason and reveal ever.
Maybe the story gets better over the next 3 books but i have to get off the ride here.
Maybe the story gets better over the next 3 books but i have to get off the ride here.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews