The rage of dragons

Game of Thrones meets Gladiator in this blockbuster debut epic fantasy about a world caught in an eternal war, and the young man who will become his people's only hope for survival.

ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S TOP 100 FANTASY BOOKS OF ALL TIME

Winner of the Reddit/Fantasy Award for Best Debut Fantasy Novel

The Omehi people have been fighting an unwinnable war for almost two hundred years. The lucky ones are born gifted. One in every two thousand women has the power to call down dragons. One in every hundred men is able to magically transform himself into a bigger, stronger, faster killing machine.

Everyone else is fodder, destined to fight and die in the endless war.

Young, gift-less Tau knows all this, but he has a plan of escape. He's going to get himself injured, get out early, and settle down to marriage, children, and land. Only, he doesn't get the chance.

Those closest to him are brutally murdered, and his grief swiftly turns to anger. Fixated on revenge, Tau dedicates himself to an unthinkable path. He'll become the greatest swordsman to ever live, a man willing to die a hundred thousand times for the chance to kill the three who betrayed him.

The Rage of Dragons launches a stunning and powerful debut epic fantasy series that readers are already calling "the best fantasy book in years."

The Burning The Rage of Dragons

Author Notes

Born in England to South American parents, Evan Winter was raised in Africa near the historical territory of his Xhosa ancestors. Evan has always loved fantasy novels, but when his son was born, he realized that there weren't many epic fantasy novels featuring characters who looked like him. So, before he ran out of time, he started writing them.

Reviews (3)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Winters's stunning debut fantasy epic is rich in complex characters and a well-wrought world with both European and African influences. Tau Tafari is a common boy of the Omehi people, whose society is strictly divided by class. When his father is murdered needlessly to assuage the ego of an offended noble, Tau vows to take advantage of the only opportunity his class is given and become an Ihashe in the Omehian military. Tau's determination wins him a spot as an initiate, though most of the other initiates have far greater skill. Desperate to improve himself, Tau breaches the underworld, Isihogo, with the help of his lover, Zuri, a young woman training to become an Enervator (those with the ability to siphon power from the underworld during battle). While his physical body remains untouched, Tau's soul is free to spar with the demons that stalk Isihogo, and this twisted training changes him far more than he expects. Winter's secondary characters support his hero's story and amplify its themes of brotherhood, but it is Tau himself, far more nuanced than a simple underdog, who will move readers to eagerly seek the next volume. This impressive series launch holds tremendous promise. Agent: Erin Malone, William Morris Endeavor. (July) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Booklist Review

Winter's debut draws on his South African heritage to craft a unique military fantasy. The story begins with a fierce battle between the Chosen, who came across the sea to find a new home, and the Hedeni, natives who consider them invaders. Both sides wield magic during combat and while the Chosen's control of dragons gives them an advantage, it leads to the beginning of a seemingly unending war. Almost two centuries later, the conflict continues but the Chosen have gained territory and established a nation for their caste-driven society. Males from every class aspire to become warriors, to defend the nation and serve their queen. All except Tau, a Commoner who trains with a Noble's son to appease his father, but has no plans to join the military himself. When his beloved Da is slain by an uncaring Noble, Tau vows to become the greatest warrior the Chosen have ever seen. His ambition is not to fight the Hedeni he plans to defy caste expectations and is willing to face other-worldly demons to enhance his martial prowess. The fast-paced action will have readers eager to follow Tau into the next book of this captivating epic.--Lucy Lockley Copyright 2019 Booklist

Library Journal Review

Almost 200 years ago, the Omehi fled the Cull for a new peninsula, where they battled those already living there, the Xiddeen, with their Guardians--dragons--to take control. Now, the war continues. The Omehi are strictly divided by class, with Commons, Nobles, plus the treasured and powerful Gifted. One Common boy, Tau Tafari, loses his father when he is killed because of Tau's victory against a Noble in a fight. Tau vows revenge on those who caused his father's death and begins training as a Common soldier, an Ihashe. To become better than his skilled opponents, Tau uses every piece of knowledge, determination, and hatred to forge a path to the feet of his father's killers, even as he faces changes to his world, his culture, and the unending war that has shaped the Omehi and their power. Tau is a near-unsympathetic protagonist, as his single-minded vendetta affects those around him, but readers will be mesmerized by the worldbuilding, class barriers, and magic that shape the story into a powerful tale. VERDICT Winter's debut will draw strong comparisons to George R.R. Martin and Brandon Sanderson, and the strong African influences and ties create a singular, exciting epic with intriguing characters and culture. Readers will be clamoring for the next installment.--Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton

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