About the Author

Ian Graham lives in Bury, Lancashire, where he works as a bookseller.

Reviews

A very promising debut indeed - THE ALIEN ONLINEThe most exciting fantasy novel you will read this year - David GemmellBloodthirsty, action-packed fantasy ... this author is going to be one to watch - STARBURSTIan Graham writes with energy and inventive nastiness ... impressively unpleasant - SFX

Large, unkempt, and unemployed, Ballas runs afoul of a group of stonemasons. He thanks the young priest who rescues him by stealing the most valuable item he can find from his rescuer's house-a gem with magical powers. As Ballas becomes the object of a search by those who want the item for themselves, he is forced to flee, though his journey leads him closer to a past he would rather forget. In gritty, realistic prose, Graham pulls no punches as he depicts a fantasy world both brutal and unforgiving and lacking in heroes. Fans of noir fantasy should enjoy this grim but uplifting debut, first published in England; for large fantasy collections. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.