This month marks the 9th anniversary of Pyr! We published our first book Paradox by John Meaney in 2005 and have be steadily bringing great science fiction and fantasy titles to our readers ever since. As we approach the double digits, we'd like to say thanks for sticking by our side and supporting an independent press.

Looking for something dark and gritty? Something that doesn't pull any punches - and might actually take a couple swings at you? Meet Mark Smylie and his debut novel The Barrow. Smylie is no stranger to the fantasy realm; in fact he's the author, illustrator, and publisher of the highly acclaimed Artesia comics and graphic novels. For the first time he brings his Known World to life with an entirely new set of characters.

When a small crew of scoundrels, would-be heroes and deviants discover a map leading to a fabled sword of a long-dead wizard, they think they've struck it rich. But their hopes are dashed when the cursed map is destroyed in a magical ritual, leaving them dreaming of what might have been. That is, until the map reappears in a most unusual and unexpected place. Led by Stjepan Black-Heart, suspected murderer and renegade royal cartographer, they form a cross-section of the Middle Kingdoms of the Known World on a quest that will either get them all in the history books, or get them all killed.

 

Mark Smylie has worked as a writer, illustrator, editor, and publisher for over a decade. His award-winning epic military fantasy graphic novel series, Artesia, was first published in 1999. Mark founded Archaia Studios Press, now known as Archaia Entertainment, and still serves as the company's chief creative officer. Visit Mark online at www.artesiaonline.com.

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When Buzzfeed calls out only 13 reasons why this year "may be the best year for fantasy in the 21st century," we like to listen. Oh yeah, especially when one of our books makes the list! In Blood and Iron (Part One of the Book of the Black Earth), Jon Sprunk takes us on a journey through his highly imaginative world of war and magic. Sprunk made a nice name for himself with his Shadow's saga, but now he's back with a brand new action-heavy sword and sorcery series opener. 

The soldier Horace has been taken as a slave in a foreign country, until his enemies learn he is a latent sorcerer and he is catapulted from his chains to the halls of power in the queen's court. Together with Jirom, an ex-mercenary and gladiator, and Alyra, a spy in the court, he will seek a path to free himself and the empire's caste of slaves from a system where every man and woman must pay the price of blood or iron. Before the end, Horace will have paid dearly in both.

Michael J. Sullivan calls this book "a fun adventure of magic, political intrigue, and good old-fashioned heroes," and Amazon picked it as a best book of March.

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We can tell you six ways to Sunday (which has never made any sense to me as a phrase) about how great these two new releases are, but how about we offer you a chance to read them for yourselves?  We've got one copy of each of these awesome books up for grabs. The first winner gets to choose which one he or she wants while the runner-up automatically gets the other book.  

Send an e-mail with the subject "Blood and Iron and The Barrow giveaway" to publicity@prometheusbooks.com before Wednesday, April 9th to enter.  Winners will be selected at random and contacted for more details. This is a worldwide contest, so enter now!