Guns of the Dawn
12 February 2015Synopsis
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
Readers love Guns of the Dawn:
‘An exciting fantasy novel that's part French Revolution, part Vietnam War film, part Jane Austen, part strange new world of its own’
‘A richly written story that feels so familiar and yet so different to our own history’
‘Normally I only read sci-fi but after reading Adrian's other work I thought I would give this a try. I was not disappointed’
Details
12 February 2015
9780230770058Reviews
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 wonderfulEmma 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 toldSFX
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 surprisesStarburst Magazine
