The Gods Are Bastards

It was a world of sword and sorcery, but that was a thousand years ago. When the gods turn their backs, true adventurers are needed more than ever. For centuries, the Empire of Tiraas has surged forward in the name of peace, commerce, and political power, evolving from its early days of heroes, quests, and reckless abandon in favor of a more refined, industrious existence. Today, rails connect cities and outposts. Religion is power—even if the gods have gone silent. Magic is a commodity. Dwarves and elves are carefully discouraged from exhibiting any unwanted behaviors.

The Empire of Tiraas has spent ages casting off its sword-and-sorcery shackles in favor of high finance, practical magic, and keeping those with power in power. Everything is malleable in the name of progress. And those that cannot be bent can easily be broken—quite painfully if necessary. But far away on the frontier, anything goes. And the University has not ceased instructing would-be adventurers on the finer points of unlocking their potential as elves, warriors, paladins, pirates, half-demons, and anything else the empire considers a threat.

On the road to becoming heroes, uniting a small town might be their biggest challenge yet, in the third book of this sprawling fantasy western series. In the low-down, run-down frontier town of Sarasio, the quicker you are with a wand, the longer you will live—not that anyone with any sense...

Far from the frontier are streets full of secrets, schemes, and smug imperials with more power than sense in the fourth book of this fantasy western epic. In the Tiraan Empire, the days of high adventure have been replaced with commerce, compromise, and a never-ending struggle for power between...