City of Shards (Spellgiver Book 1)

Listed in top 10 debuts for 2018 by Fantasy Book Critic

Larin's got big problems. His tendency to shout nonsense words at random has made him a pariah in the gang-infested Wormpile district, where he's protected only by his drug-addicted but deadly uncle. Confined to his uncle's 4-block zone, where no gang member dares to tread, his only friends are an outcast thief and an alcoholic priestess. As if that weren't enough, now priests of the Six-Legged gods have begun creeping through the Wormpile's alleyways, masking a terrifying agenda with cries for social justice.

When Larin finds his outbursts mark him as servant to an ancient malevolence, a creature whose name has scared children at bedtime for three thousand years, he knows he's stepped right into the chamberpot. Because that malevolence will force him to confront the Six-Legged Gods head-on, backed only by his uncommonly lethal uncle, a perpetually-drunk priestess, and a noble wizardress with zero patience for commoners. And while he doesn't *have* to follow the dark creature ruling his dreams, refusing will only plunge his empire into a greater darkness--an abyss so deep, it will turn mankind's soul to ash.

"A unique and exciting dark fantasy..." --Readers' Favorite (5 star)

"A dazzling and captivating introduction to a new fantasy adventure series." --Foreword Reviews

"An exhilarating tale for fans of sword and sorcery, fantasy, and rich world-building." --Kirkus Reviews

"A fictional world that shines with a rare degree of immediacy and realism--even with its wizards, monsters and six-legged gods. Readers will savor the journey." -BlueInk Review

Recommended Reading in Booklist magazine, Sep 2018

Drop whatever fantasy you're reading and pick up this book right now. And I know this is a long review, but hear me out. This is one of the best epic fantasy series in existence."... --NetgalleyReview (fromGoodreads)