Sword Of The Archon

"Shader is a triumph of fantasy!" (Journal of Always) "Derek Prior always produces masterpieces of storytelling, with great characters full of life, relentless plots, and gripping and intense fight scenes." (Mitchell Hogan) When a powerful artifact is stolen from the Abbey of Pardes, the holy knight Deacon Shader is sent to retrieve it. But events have already spiraled out of control: plague spreads across the land, the dead rise from their graves, and an ancient evil has awakened. As Creation itself hangs by a thread, Shader must confront the contradiction that defines him: Either he is a man of prayer with a wavering faith, Or the deadliest warrior of his generation. The fate of all the worlds will be decided by his answer. "Like Bernard Cornwell on 'shrooms!" (Dinorah Wilson) "... an epic fantasy across three books that is wild, fast-paced, has fantastic characters, spreads across countries as well as worlds and religions, and is absolutely one of the best fantasy trilogies in existence." (Melinda LeBaron)

"My Year's Best list just had a new book jump to the top. D.P. Prior's book is that good. He has a lot to say, and one hell of a story to tell." -- Journal of Always Reviews"... a dynamic work of genre bending scifi, fantasy and horror that immediately brings to mind Stephen King's seminal work: The Gunslinger, with its post-apocalyptic world, mysterious ruins of an advanced civilization, its mystical elements, and a main character in Shader who is just as gruff, haunted, and jaded as Roland Deschain." -- Bookwraiths Reviews"Several of the characters and the overall style of writing remind me of Joe Abercrombie's The First Law trilogy. If you liked Abercrombie's trilogy I think you'll like this." -- Ray Nicholson (Amazon Top 1000 reviewer)"This book was just plain fabulous, well crafted characters presented in a well crafted story, that blends genres flawlessly. A tale written for adults who appreciate good writing." -- Timothy Cummings (Goodreads reviewer)"... an example of the type of deep, complex, but fast-paced fantasy that I crave." -- B. Throwsnaill"The story is woven in a complex arc that unwraps itself layer by layer to grant you a fuller understanding of who the characters are and what has happened to the world." -- Indie Book Blog"Shader is the perfect blend of religious justice and secular wisdom. A wonderful new character in epic fantasy. A must read." -- Urban Fanta-Seer"Shader's tale of redemption and Cadman's ambitious villainy becomes incredibly engaging as plots unfold. Combine this with Prior's exceptional writing skills, editing, characters and world building and you have a series unlike anything in the genre today." -- Media Man (Vine Voice)Deacon Shader is a man of contradictions. Trained for holiness, he is also the deadliest warrior of his generation.When plague strikes at the heart of the city of Sarum and the Abbey of Pardes is attacked by an army of undead, Shader is thrust into the forefront of an ages-old conflict.After being hidden for millennia, the scattered pieces of the artifact that doomed the old world have resurfaced, and an ancient enemy comes to claim them.Armies clash, dark magic is unleashed, and devastating science threatens to unmake the whole of creation.These are the times of the Unweaving that Shader has been prepared for since a child; and these are the days that will test his faith to the limits.

Deacon Shader has dreamt of the Sword of the Archon since a child, and now, as a veteran warrior, he is finally within reach of winning the holy blade in a tournament at the heart of the Templum's empire. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, plague breaks out in the streets of Sarum, and a horde of undead rises from the sacred burial mounds of the Dreamers.Prompted by a voice from the Abyss, the liche Dr. Cadman has discovered a piece of the mythical Statue of Eingana and corrupted its power, but worse than that, an ancient enemy has noticed and turns his eyes once more upon the Earth.Those with understanding know all too well the threat that hangs over Creation and have taken great pains to ward against it. Shader has been prepared for the coming conflict since the day he was born. A man of prayer, deeply troubled by a contradictory faith, he is also the deadliest warrior of his generation. If only he can win the Archon's sword and come to terms with his own inner demons, he may be the last desperate hope of all the worlds.

One by one, the guilds of New Jerusalem fall to Shadrak the Unseen and his accomplice, the poisoner Albert. But as the battle for supremacy comes to a head, Shadrak is given a new order by the mysterious Archon: kill his closest living friend, the Nameless Dwarf. The philosopher Aristodeus persuades the Archon to stay his hand, proposing instead three quests that will free Nameless from the curse of the black axe that led him to slaughter his own people. But the plan has perils of its own: a visit to the fire giant’s lair at the heart of a volcano; a daring raid on the Liche Lord’s castle in darkest Verusia; and a confrontation with the son of the Demiurgos in the depths of the Abyss. Even with the incomparable partnership of Shadrak and Nameless, the quests seem doomed to failure, and so Aristodeus tries once more to entice Deacon Shader back to the fight. But Shader is a changed man, more given to drink than the sword, and if he should discover the secret Rhiannon and Aristodeus have kept from him these past four years, the quests are sure to come to a crashing halt before they even get off the ground. Friendship, scheming, and the worst horrors imaginable combine to test the companions to the limits, and despair dark enough to corrode even the most unwavering faith awaits those not destined to return.

"This is a series that should be savored like a fine scotch, one whose sweetness lingers in your mouth long after you've swallowed." (Journal of Always Reviews) The reavers are swarming and this time their prey is the supreme ruler of the Templum, the Ipsissimus himself. With Shader dead and his piece of the Statue of Eingana in the hands of Shadrak the Unseen, the threat of the Unweaving of all Creation is one step nearer. Dr. Cadman realizes he’s in too deep and there’s nothing for it but to go on the offensive. If he’s to survive the coming war for the statue, what better allies could he have than an army of the living dead? As Sektis Gandaw closes in and a clash of cultures threatens the land of Sahul, the philosopher Aristodeus still has ideas of his own that could decide the fate of all existence. But with the passage to the heavenly realm of Araboth covered by the Abyss, nothing is as it should be. Aristodeus knows that even Shader’s death can be turned to his advantage; after all, it’s a long game, and he holds all the cards. But even the best laid plans … "The star of this show is the intriguing post-apocalyptic world that Mr. Prior began building in Sword of the Archon. This alternative Earth is a wondrous thing to behold, filled with interesting lore, mysteries galore, vile plots, ancient gods and goddesses, and old world technology." (Bookwraiths Reviews) Here's what readers are saying about book 1, Sword of the Archon: "This is the best full-length self-published fantasy I've yet to read." (Rex Jameson) "Gritty and thought-provoking, Shader is an absolute triumph of fantasy." (Journal of Always Reviews) "If you liked Abercrombie's trilogy I think you'll like this." (Ray Nicholson Reviews) "This author has some major talent." (Readers Favourite)

"A triumph of fantasy!" (Journal of Always) "Derek Prior always produces masterpieces of storytelling, with great characters full of life, relentless plots, and gripping and intense fight scenes." (Mitchell Hogan) The entire Templum Knight trilogy in one volume! Includes: 1. Sword of the Archon 2. Best Laid Plans 3. The Unweaving An exemplary knight and veteran of a horrific battle against the undead armies of the Lich Lord, Deacon Shader must compete for his Order's highest office and attempt to become the Keeper of the Sword of the Archon. Succeed or fail, he plans to desert the Order and become a contemplative monk on the far side of the world. The transition is not a smooth one, and Shader, a deserter, is hunted by the religious authorities he used to serve. When a powerful artifact is stolen from the abbey he joins as a novice, Shader, the only fighting man among the monks, is sent to retrieve it. But events have already spiraled out of control: plague spreads across the land, the dead rise from their graves, and an ancient evil has awakened. As Creation itself hangs by a thread, Shader must confront the contradiction that defines him: Either he is a man of prayer with a wavering faith, Or the deadliest warrior of his generation. The fate of all the worlds will be decided by his answer.

A sprawling epic of redemption, heroism, and friendship in the face of insurmountable evil and an inexorable fate. "A beautifully written and engrossing masterwork!" (Mitchell Hogan) Fantasy Faction semifinalist for the SPFBO 2018 Child of an unreliable prophecy. Victim of a terrible deception. A soldier once. Then a killer of his own kind. A butcher. The Nameless Dwarf lies entombed beneath the earth, locked in an eternal sleep until the hour of Medryn-Tha's greatest need. With one shot at redemption, he must discover who he really is if he is to prevent the destruction of all the worlds and lead the dwarves to safety. But the deceptions that once cursed him have not been lain to rest. Every victory, every loss presents new dangers, new decisions. And history will remember him as the most cursed among the fallen, Or the greatest hero of legend.

For five hundred years the Gods have united the Three Nations in harmony. Now that balance has been shattered, and chaos threatens. A town burns and flames light the night sky. Hunted and alone, seventeen year old Eric flees through the wreckage. The mob grows closer, baying for the blood of their tormentor. Guilt weighs on his soul, but he cannot stop, cannot turn back. If he stops, they die. For two years he has carried this curse, bringing death and destruction wherever he goes. But now there is another searching for him – one who offers salvation. His name is Alastair, and he knows the true nature of the curse. Magic. An original epic fantasy novel with dragons, gods and magic, packed with action, adventure, swords and sorcery, by New York Times Bestselling Author Aaron Hodges.