The Gutter Prayer (Black Iron Legacy Series #1)

by Gareth Hanrahan

Overview

"The Gutter Prayer is captivating and complex. Guerdon is a city that seethes with history, horror, and hidden secrets" (Nicholas Eames).


A group of three young thieves are pulled into a centuries old magical war between ancient beings, mages, and humanity in this wildly original debut epic fantasy.

Enter a city of saints and thieves . . .

The city of Guerdon stands eternal. A refuge from the war that rages beyond its borders. But in the ancient tunnels deep beneath its streets, a malevolent power has begun to stir.

The fate of the city rests in the hands of three thieves. They alone stand against the coming darkness. As conspiracies unfold and secrets are revealed, their friendship will be tested to the limit. If they fail, all will be lost, and the streets of Guerdon will run with blood.


"A groundbreaking and extraordinary novel . . . Hanrahan has an astonishing imagination" (Peter McLean).

The Gutter Prayer is an epic tale of sorcerers and thieves, treachery and revenge, from a remarkable new voice in fantasy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316525312
Publisher:	Orbit
Publication date:	01/22/2019
Series:	Black Iron Legacy Series , #1
Pages:	560
Sales rank:	170,462
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.60(d)

About the Author

Gareth Hanrahan's three-month break from computer programming to concentrate on writing has now lasted fifteen years and counting. He's written more gaming books than he can readily recall, by virtue of the alchemical transmutation of tea and guilt into words. He lives in Ireland with his wife and twin sons. Follow him on twitter @mytholder.

Editorial Reviews

11/26/2018
Interesting monsters and a steady pace carry Hanrahan’s epic fantasy debut. As an unholy war between mad deities and divinely powered saints sweeps across the land, the city of Guerdon is a bastion for hundreds of refugees, including Carillon Thay, a new member of the Thieves’ Brotherhood. In the aftermath of a disastrous heist, Carillon is plagued by mysterious visions as shape-shifting Ravellers, servants of the ancient and evil Black Iron Gods, take to the streets for the first time in decades. Along with Rat, a corpse-eating ghoul, and Spar, whose flesh is slowly calcifying into rock, Carillon must navigate a city of monsters and powerful guilds to protect her friends from full-scale apocalypse. Hanrahan brings the sights, sounds, and smells of Guerdon to life with crisp, lyrical prose that moves swiftly between thrilling action sequences and imaginative worldbuilding. Equal parts grim and entertaining, this series launch balances fresh ideas with familiar tropes to create a satisfying story. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

"The Gutter Prayer is captivating and complex. Guerdon is a city that seethes with history, horror, and hidden secrets, and Hanrahan's assured style is reminiscent of China Mievelle in the best way possible."—Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld

"A gripping tale that meshes beautifully with its fascinating, darkly inventive setting."—James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost

"Employing an enviable skill with both plotting and prose, Gareth Hanrahan has in The Gutter Prayer woven an intricate and finely crafted web of compelling characters navigating a city rich in dark and original wonders. I await the sequel with the keenest anticipation."—Anthony Ryan, author of Blood Song

"Beautifully written. Gripping. Guerdon is the city of my dreams."—Anna Smith Spark, author of The Court of Broken Knives

"Laced with the blackest of humor and packed with magic and mayhem, this is fantasy turned up to 11."—Anna Stephens, author of Godblind

"A groundbreaking and extraordinary novel . . .Hanrahan has an astonishing imagination."—Peter McLean, author of Priest of Bones

"This is genre-defying fantasy at its very best. An absolutely stunning debut. Insanely inventive and deeply twisted. I loved it! Highly recommended."—Michael R. Fletcher, author of Beyond Redemption

"With living candles, ancient ghouls, broken gods, and more, The Gutter Prayer brims with cool and often twisted ideas."—Peter Newman, author of The Vagrant

"Hanrahan brings the sights, sounds, and smells of Guerdon to life with crisp, lyrical prose that moves swiftly between thrilling action sequences and imaginative worldbuilding."—Publishers Weekly

"A wonderfully bizarre vision, The Gutter Prayer reads like a collaboration between Hunter S. Thompson and H.P. Lovecraft."—The Guardian

"Hanrahan brings his city to life in lyrical prose, even as the plot leaps from action sequence to breathless chase and back again."—B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog

"Fans of dark fantasies like Brandon Sanderson's Elantris and Robert Jackson Bennett's City of Stairs will feel right at home in Guerdon's twisting cityscape. An inventive debut."—Booklist

From the Publisher