Absolon Creed

By: R.S. Ford

A legendary soldier is the last line of defense between his city and monstrous chaos in this grimdark adventure from an unmissable voice in epic fantasy.

Bastion, the once-shining capital of Morrengard, teeters on the brink. Its grand spires are crumbling and its nobility fight over scraps, all while eldritch creatures stalk the streets. The only thing standing in the way of its utter destruction is the Order of Draken: a knightly order more brutal than the threats the city faces. And its most brutal champion… Absolon Creed.

When two nobles are found murdered in a manner most grotesque, suspicions arise about a traitor within the Order itself. Creed is tasked with investigating, and for his sins he is saddled with a partner: Guenivar Blackmere, a daughter of nobility and the Order's newest, and most untested, initiate.

Together, they are plunged into Bastion's fetid underbelly, where warlocks rub elbows with corrupt nobles and necromancers cavort with the dead. Guenivar must learn fast or perish under Creed’s cold tutelage. Her mentor is quick to anger, and about as friendly as a cornered wolf, but that is the only way to survive these unforgiving streets.

But as the investigation deepens, Guenivar discovers a secret about him that could shatter everything she believed about the order and its heroes. While Creed himself must defeat the ghosts he's spent years trying to bury… before they bury Bastion itself.

Critic reviews

"Fueled by master-class worldbuilding, the third volume of Ford’s Age of Uprising trilogy concludes an epic fantasy narrative chronicling an empire torn apart by war ... Nonstop action, intricate plotlines, deeply developed characters, top-notch worldbuilding—a must-read for epic fantasy fans."

—Kirkus (Starred Review) on Engines of War

"In the climactic finale of this dark fantasy trilogy ... The sharp prose captures both the sweeping scale of war and the deeply intimate struggles of characters who are flawed, determined, and shaped by the weight of a collapsing empire. With fast pacing, pulse-pounding battles, and the looming horrors of zealotry, the tension never wavers. The action builds towards a solid and satisfying conclusion ... Brimming with conflict, rebellion, and the fusion of magic and machines, this immersive epic brings a richly detailed world to life. Great for fans of Miles Cameron and John Gwynne."

—Library Journal on Engines of War

"Ford continues to impress with both his worldbuilding and his facility at creating fully realized characters in this sequel to 2022’s Engines of Empire ... Ford’s imagined world is so societally detailed ... The result is a complex but accessible epic fantasy that keeps the series going strong."—Publishers Weekly on Engines of Chaos

"The ensemble cast of deeply portrayed and emotionally connectives characters, coupled with an impressively intricate storyline, makes for a highly entertaining read. Additionally, the novel’s structure—alternating back and forth among numerous story arcs—gives this doorstopper a continuous sense of immediacy and momentum, making for a virtually un-put-down-able read. Fans of shelf-bending fantasy will find this richly described and impressively intricate installment utterly satisfying."—Kirkus (Starred Review) on Engines of Chaos

“Epic fantasy fans listen up: This is the good stuff. Highly recommended.”—Kirkus (Starred Review) on Engines of Empire

"Perfect for fans of Brent Weeks, George R. R. Martin, or David Gemmell . . . . The best traditional epic fantasy I have read in years."—Grimdark Magazine on Engines of Empire

“An excellent start to a new series: fast-paced and engaging, with a properly epic setting and a cast of characters I look forward to seeing more of.”—James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost, on Engines of Empire

“Ford succeeds in building a complex fantasy world, complete with warring factions, fearsome creatures, and bloody struggles for power . . . Fans of R.A. Salvatore’s DemonWars Saga will be especially hooked.”—Publishers Weekly on Engines of Empire

“A heady blend of action, arcana, and intrigue.”—Gareth Hanrahan, author of The Gutter Prayer, on Engines of Empire