Guns of the Dawn

By: Adrian Tchaikovsky

Narrated by: Emma Newman

The first casualty of war is truth . . .

Guns of the Dawn is a gripping story of war, set in a fantastical, alternate-historical Europe – with a touch of sorcery. From Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author, Adrian Tchaikovsky.

‘One of the best books I've ever read’ – Peter Newman, author of The Vagrant

First, Denland’s revolutionaries assassinated their king, launching a wave of bloodshed after generations of peace. Next they clashed with Lascanne, their royalist neighbour, pitching war-machines against warlocks in a fiercely fought conflict.

Genteel Emily Marshwic watched as the hostilities stole her family’s young men. But then came the call for yet more Lascanne soldiers in a ravaged kingdom with none left to give. Emily must join the ranks of conscripted women and march toward the front lines.

With barely enough training to hold a musket, Emily braves the savage reality of warfare. But she begins to doubt her country's cause, and those doubts become critical. For her choices will determine her own future and that of two nations locked in battle.

‘An engrossing story, beautifully told’ – SFX

‘Moving, gripping and wonderfully paced’ – The Bookbag

Listeners love Guns of the Dawn:

‘I really loved this story of Emily and her experiences in a brutal war’

‘The narration was perfect’

‘The protagonist is all my LARP goals, I have never related so hard to the POV character’

Critic reviews

I loved it. One of the best books I've ever read. Imagine Sharpe with a female lead and warlocks – need I say more? (Peter Newman, author of The Vagrant)

I loved that book so much I read it in two sittings (and it's not short!). It has elements of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe novels, mixed with Jane Austenesque characters, against the backdrop of war, with a side order of fireball-wielding sorcerers. The lead character is simply wonderful (Emma Newman, author of Planetfall)

Tchaikovsky weaves together a story that keeps you hooked with breathless battle scenes, well-drawn characters and an uneasy feeling in your gut that while Marshwic and her red-coated comrades are winning battles they’re slowly losing the war . . . An engrossing story, beautifully told

This is a fantasy novel with muskets, magic, war machines and social hierarchies . . . It’s a credit to the skill of the author that both the world and the characters contain plenty of surprises

Moving, gripping and wonderfully paced, Tchaikovsky has produced a strong standalone book about a remarkable heroine

A story of gravitas, that uses its fantasy premise to hold a mirror to our past . . . Definitely a thought-provoking read

Guns of the Dawn has a lot to say about the nature of war and the real reasons as to why such conflicts happen. At the same time, it is also an involving, entertaining read that flows very fluidly and keeps the reader turning the pages well into the night

My favorite fantasy that I’ve read this year . . . Adrian Tchaikovsky has assembled an engrossing, enchanting novel. This is one stand-alone novel that makes me deeply hope for a sequel

Good story, not quite as good performance

The narrator has few different voices/dialects to choose from making it some times difficult to recognise who is talking.

excellent story wonderfully narrated

excellent story and a narrator who knows and loves that story made this an aural pleasure and a fine fantasy offering

revolutionary war, but with warlocks!

fun take on the revolutionary war, but told from the perspective of (pinky in the air) "a proper lady".

has a bit of a pride and prejudice feel, but with musket regiments and swamps

Apocalypse Now meets Pride and Prejudice

I have a real fascination with the final part of the novel and how everything comes together. Especially at the ending.

The biggest flaw was that there isn't more

The book is fantastic, but absolutely would have been more enjoyable if I had the opportunity to stay in the world longer.