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The Fox and the Bowman
A masterful short historical fantasy story from the acclaimed author of the Greatcoats! A young archer bent on revenge against the knight who impoverished his family encounters an enigmatic stranger who promises him a far more potent form of retribution. But when Thomas finds himself hurled by magic to fight battles in faraway lands, he soon discovers that the vengeance his mysterious benefactor offers could change not only one archer’s destiny, but that of the entire world. A short story filled with magic, archery, and intrigue by the author of the acclaimed Greatcoats and Spellslinger series.
27 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2021
About the author
Sebastien de Castell
60 books5,141 followersHi Folks!
My eighteenth novel, MALEVOLENT EIGHT is now available. Cade Ombra and his misfit band of mercenary war mages are determined to prevent a cataclysmic war between supernatural beings. But peace at any price might mean killing an awful lot of people. The Malevolent Seven might be heroes, but they'll be the good guys . . .
My seventeenth novel is titled PLAY OF SHADOWS. A swashbuckling fantasy set in the world of mystical theatre where exalted actors can channel the spirits of the historical figures they portray on stage. But Damelas Chademantaigne seems to be summoning the spirit of a notorious villain whose secrets could unleash a civil war!
My sixteenth novel is CRUCIBLE OF CHAOS. Estevar Borros is my favourite swashbuckling investigator of the supernatural, so come investigate alongside him and his dauntless mule, Imperious inside a mysterious abbey where the gods seem to be driving the monks mad!
My fifteenth novel is FATE OF THE ARGOSI. The Argosi series is one of my favourites and I hope you'll come along for Ferius Parfax's adventures!
You can get a pair of free stories here.
The best way to stay up to date is at www.decastell.com, but I'm also on that Facebook thing. Also that Twitter thing. One day I'll even remember to get on that Instagram thing.
As to who I am? Well . . .
Sebastien de Castell had just finished a degree in Archaeology when he started work on his first dig. Four hours later he realized how much he actually hated archaeology and left to pursue a very focused career as a musician, ombudsman, interaction designer, fight choreographer, teacher, project manager, actor, and product strategist. His only defence against the charge of unbridled dilettantism is that he genuinely likes doing these things and that, in one way or another, each of these fields plays a role in his writing. He sternly resists the accusation of being a Renaissance Man in the hopes that more people will label him that way.
Sebastien's acclaimed swashbuckling fantasy series, The Greatcoats. was shortlisted for both the 2014 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy. the Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut, the Prix Imaginales for Best Foreign Work, and the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His YA fantasy series, Spellslinger, was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and is published in more than a dozen languages.
Sebastien lives in Vancouver, Canada with his lovely wife and two belligerent cats. You can reach him at www.decastell.com
My eighteenth novel, MALEVOLENT EIGHT is now available. Cade Ombra and his misfit band of mercenary war mages are determined to prevent a cataclysmic war between supernatural beings. But peace at any price might mean killing an awful lot of people. The Malevolent Seven might be heroes, but they'll be the good guys . . .
My seventeenth novel is titled PLAY OF SHADOWS. A swashbuckling fantasy set in the world of mystical theatre where exalted actors can channel the spirits of the historical figures they portray on stage. But Damelas Chademantaigne seems to be summoning the spirit of a notorious villain whose secrets could unleash a civil war!
My sixteenth novel is CRUCIBLE OF CHAOS. Estevar Borros is my favourite swashbuckling investigator of the supernatural, so come investigate alongside him and his dauntless mule, Imperious inside a mysterious abbey where the gods seem to be driving the monks mad!
My fifteenth novel is FATE OF THE ARGOSI. The Argosi series is one of my favourites and I hope you'll come along for Ferius Parfax's adventures!
You can get a pair of free stories here.
The best way to stay up to date is at www.decastell.com, but I'm also on that Facebook thing. Also that Twitter thing. One day I'll even remember to get on that Instagram thing.
As to who I am? Well . . .
Sebastien de Castell had just finished a degree in Archaeology when he started work on his first dig. Four hours later he realized how much he actually hated archaeology and left to pursue a very focused career as a musician, ombudsman, interaction designer, fight choreographer, teacher, project manager, actor, and product strategist. His only defence against the charge of unbridled dilettantism is that he genuinely likes doing these things and that, in one way or another, each of these fields plays a role in his writing. He sternly resists the accusation of being a Renaissance Man in the hopes that more people will label him that way.
Sebastien's acclaimed swashbuckling fantasy series, The Greatcoats. was shortlisted for both the 2014 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy. the Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut, the Prix Imaginales for Best Foreign Work, and the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His YA fantasy series, Spellslinger, was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and is published in more than a dozen languages.
Sebastien lives in Vancouver, Canada with his lovely wife and two belligerent cats. You can reach him at www.decastell.com
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 9, 2021
Great historical fantasy story that goes somewhere unexpected!
January 25, 2021
Read as in book Art of War, great little story that had me hooked from beginning.
March 8, 2022
Another brilliant short story
August 20, 2022
A historical fantasy from thew pen of the author of the Greatcoats, one of my favourite series. Thomas is an English archer who wants revenge on Sir Hammond, a knight, who has taken away half of Thomas’s family’s farm land. His bow is drawn and he’s about to take his shot when a stranger appears. The man, a nobleman by his dress, says to call him Master Reynard, and he comes up with a plan. He shows Thomas the probable consequences of actions not yet taken, and those that will be taken. Reynard’s plan skims over the battle of Crecy and Edward the Black Prince, and onwards to Agincourt where Thomas’s grandson faces off against the French, bow in hand. This is a short story with long consequences. Highly enjoyable.
May 11, 2024
Book Review:
The Fox and the Bowman by Sebastian de Castell
Dashing Blades, 1st December 2021
This short historical fantasy story features young archer Thomas. He's an interesting character, who is hell-bent on killing Sir Hammond, a knight who stole land from his father.
Mysteriously, an enigmatic stranger promises Thomas a more rewarding form of revenge. Magic is surely at play from more than just the unknown man, as de Castell combines atmosphere with a shed load of intrigue, and the results could change life for more than just Thomas.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#TheFoxAndTheBowman #SebastienDeCastell #DashingBlades #HistoricalFantasy #BookReview #Bookstagram
The Fox and the Bowman by Sebastian de Castell
Dashing Blades, 1st December 2021
This short historical fantasy story features young archer Thomas. He's an interesting character, who is hell-bent on killing Sir Hammond, a knight who stole land from his father.
Mysteriously, an enigmatic stranger promises Thomas a more rewarding form of revenge. Magic is surely at play from more than just the unknown man, as de Castell combines atmosphere with a shed load of intrigue, and the results could change life for more than just Thomas.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#TheFoxAndTheBowman #SebastienDeCastell #DashingBlades #HistoricalFantasy #BookReview #Bookstagram
May 23, 2022
A fantastic historical fantasy short story with a touch of magic thrown into the mix. When young archer Thomas is about to do something that could be detrimental to his own life and that of his father's, Until he meets a mysterious stranger that changes his life and maybe that of the world. A fun little read that will make you smile after reading it. I'm really loving what I've read by Sebastian De Castell so far and will definitely continue to read his works. I very highly recommend this little Gem, you will find it in the Anthology Art Of War...😁🔥🏹
May 11, 2024
This short historical fantasy story features young archer Thomas. He's an interesting character, who is hell-bent on killing Sir Hammond, a knight who stole land from his father.
Mysteriously, an enigmatic stranger promises Thomas a more rewarding form of revenge. Magic is surely at play from more than just the unknown man, as de Castell combines atmosphere with a shed load of intrigue, and the results could change life for more than just Thomas.
Mysteriously, an enigmatic stranger promises Thomas a more rewarding form of revenge. Magic is surely at play from more than just the unknown man, as de Castell combines atmosphere with a shed load of intrigue, and the results could change life for more than just Thomas.
September 19, 2022
Too much jumping around
He jumped around too much. Whatever the fox spirit says will happen would magically be the past, which makes the story confusing. I also didn't feel invested in the characters.
If you want to feel invested in a character, I'll recommend his Spellslinger series
He jumped around too much. Whatever the fox spirit says will happen would magically be the past, which makes the story confusing. I also didn't feel invested in the characters.
If you want to feel invested in a character, I'll recommend his Spellslinger series
July 15, 2023
🎧A great short novel. Easy listening even when you’re in the road.
3.5/5 ⭐️
3.5/5 ⭐️
February 12, 2025
Fun and pretty unique self-contained short story with a clever way of packing in a lot of time and events in a very short word count.
January 9, 2026
Interesting little story.
March 25, 2026
A (too) short story, set in a magical but real 14th (or 15?) century England. It scratched an itch because I was missing Brasti.
September 4, 2025
A bit difficult to follow, but an interesting concept.
July 28, 2022
Thomas is preparing to kill the knight who stole his father's land when a stranger approaches and shows him his futures. Master Reynard, the stranger, winds up being around Thomas for important events.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews