WOAD

Fog-shrouded Albion, the last land of myth and magic, is crushed under conquering Roman legions. Woad-painted tribesman, Artos, curses the gods for failing to lead the fightback. Only he can rise to the mantle of God of Revenge and lead the tribes and faerie folk to reclaim their druid-blessed isle. But corruption infests the old-world myths. Cerridwen, the Crone of Fate, commands her boggart followers to tinker at the edges of destiny. Her plans will stretch over nearly two millennia.

In another age, on the banks of the river Thames, rises London, the ravenous stomach of the British Empire. Here, the fading gods of Albion scheme to play their final hand in the one remaining borough where humans and faerie folk live together, the Marsh Worm Mile. Populated by motley street gangs, colorful, pungent markets, and secret curses, the Mile holds the key to deciding the fate of a near-forgotten pagan world.

Double-Dared Sol is the luckiest man in the city. With Shammy and Victor, he runs with the infamous street gang, the Guinea Dreadfuls. The recently come-of-age trio is drawn into the final act of centuries-long machinations when a stranger returns to claim an ancient birthright. Lifelong friendships are tested as the frayed threads of fate slowly knot together.

To whom belongs the scared heart of old Albion? An upstart deity with a chip on his shoulder? The faerie folk, as living, breathing descendants of myth itself? Or is it time for the people of London to finally let go of the superstitions which taunt and twist their thoughts and dreams?

Praise for WOAD

The thrilling tale follows Artos, a warrior like no other and a character you can't turn away from, as he battles his way through the centuries of Britain. Full of Fey, goblins, crones, nymphs, and gods, both old and new, the world of James Isaac's Woad is a must-visit for fans of violent fantasy, and possesses the same kind of epic imagination and fast-paced action found in American Gods by Neil Gaiman and the hugely popular video game, God of War.

-- Jonathan R. Rose, author of Carrion, The Spirit of Laughter, Gato y Lobo, and Wedlock.