ABOUT THE SERIES
What is Savage Oaths?
The Savage Oaths Saga is a complete five-book fantasy series set upon the world of Guien, where humans, hobgoblins, and the scant remnants of the pre-Starfall races ‘born before the moon’, struggle and conspire to ensure their place in a world caught in a millennia-long feud between the stark, cold and stringently beautiful Aelf, and the nascent, distant forces of darkness cultivated by the Fleshless Prince, Lord Majestic of the Djinn.
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A Story of Mortals, Monsters, and Oaths
Though its ensemble cast of characters grows as the story does, the narrative spine of Savage Oaths focuses on Mallory, a poacher’s daughter, as she navigates the world alongside a motley crew of sinister hobgoblins, and the brutal Gulukh One-Ear, who owes the girl his life and has in turn taken her with him on his quest to avoid becoming embroiled in the larger conflict of mysticism and prophecy that suffuses Guien.
Though there are larger-than-life men and monsters galore in the novels—from Mammoth gods to Djinn Callers (a wicked blend of journeymen scientist and Pokémon trainers, if each of their traps were full of cenobites…)—the focus of the novels is ever and always on the characters and their inner lives, and how prophecies and oaths, both profound and profane, can affect them and feed into their neuroses and fears. Some are forged anew, whilst others descend into the pit.
Though there are larger-than-life men and monsters galore in the novels—from Mammoth gods to Djinn Callers (a wicked blend of journeymen scientist and Pokémon trainers, if each of their traps were full of cenobites…)—the focus of the novels is ever and always on the characters and their inner lives, and how prophecies and oaths, both profound and profane, can affect them and feed into their neuroses and fears. Some are forged anew, whilst others descend into the pit.
The Meaning Behind Savage Oaths
I titled the series Savage Oaths as it both explores the brutality and tragedy which can come with being bound to oaths sworn to flawed authorities, and secondly, the rules by which even people believed to be savage and immoral are bound.
A Decade in the Making
I began thinking about this setting over ten years ago, with the first two books in the series initially being released through the Leicester-based publisher Fox Spirit Books, with the fabulous map of Guien being produced by my good friend and fantastic artist Manuel Mesones. It soon became clear however, that the story would not be told by a simple trilogy.
A Creative Collaboration
It was Manuel himself who, after enjoying the first two, convinced me the saga could be expanded upon, with a full run of all five books of the pentalogy, alongside new, evocative covers, and a wonderful suite of artwork conjured by Manuel and inspired by my worlds (which you will undoubtedly see throughout this site.)
All five books have been expanded upon and rewritten to be the best I can make them, thanks in no small part to my editor and erstwhile beta-reader Nip, whose passion and enthusiasm for this setting have gladdened my heart and inspired me to explore even more of this world in the future.
All five books have been expanded upon and rewritten to be the best I can make them, thanks in no small part to my editor and erstwhile beta-reader Nip, whose passion and enthusiasm for this setting have gladdened my heart and inspired me to explore even more of this world in the future.
Into the Deep-Oak Forest…
So, prepare yourselves to journey to Guien, and dive into the ancient wilds of the Deep-Oak Forest of Grencopse, where the roots burrow deep, and the sprites are kindled in all living things…
Yet beware, for there are monsters in the woods… and not all of them are human…
Yet beware, for there are monsters in the woods… and not all of them are human…
