A Sword of Bronze and Ashes

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By Anna Smith Spark

Publisher Description

Readers of Shauna Lawless and Thilde Kold Holdt will love this Celtic-inflected adventure by critically acclaimed, grimdark epic fantasy novelist, Anna Smith Spark.

A Sword of Bronze and Ashes combines the fierce beauty of Celtic myth with grimdark battle violence. It's a lyrical, folk horror high fantasy.

Kanda has a good life until shadows from her past return threatening everything she loves. And Kanda, like any parent, has things in her past she does not want her children to know. Red war is coming: pursued by an ancient evil, Kanda must call upon all her strength to protect her family. But how can she keep her children safe, if they want to stand as warriors beside her when the light fades and darkness rises?

FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress

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14 Reviews

4.0

Niverrick

Created 24 days ago

“This will easily be a top 10 of the year for me. If you love Celtic/Norse inspired grim-dark tales, this will work for you. Her prose alone is worth the read. Absolutely spell-binding. Loved it.”

Memorable Multilayered Strong relationships Action-packed Addictive Gripping/exciting Atmospheric Enchanted Harsh Beautifully-written Descriptive Original Whimsical tone

Matty

Created about 2 months ago

Bleak Child loss Death Murder

Jay

Created 4 months ago

“*A Sword of Bronze and Ashes* by Anna Smith Spark is a work that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned, a testament to her exceptional command of language and her mastery of the grimdark genre. In a world often defined by brutality, corruption, and the weight of past trauma, Spark weaves a tapestry of haunting prose that is as sharp as the swords her characters wield. The lyrical quality of her writing demands attention, urging the reader to slow down, to revisit moments and passages, to fully absorb the layers of meaning tucked within each sentence. It's not a story you simply rush through; it's one that requires you to pause, to reflect, and to feel the full impact of the journey. As a reader and a parent who carries the weight of past experiences, I found a deep resonance in the book’s themes—of how trauma shapes us, how we are all, in some sense, children in need of understanding and healing. The characters in *A Sword of Bronze and Ashes* are not easily defined by the labels of good or evil; they are reflections of the complexities of humanity, bearing the scars of their own battles, both external and internal. Spark's grimdark world mirrors our own, with all its pain, brokenness, and the yearning for something more—something redemptive, even if it’s fleeting. This book does not offer easy answers. Instead, it places the reader in a world of discomfort, where moral ambiguity reigns, but it’s within this discomfort that the true beauty of the narrative shines through. The way Spark uses her prose as both weapon and balm, cutting the reader down with the weight of its truth, and yet, in the same stroke, offering moments of insight and connection, is what makes her work stand out in the grimdark genre. Each sentence is a battle in itself, each chapter a war to be fought—and like the protagonists of the story, we find ourselves bruised and battered by the end, but somehow more whole for having gone through it. In this, Spark reminds me of the best in literature—works that are not simply meant to be consumed but to be lived with, to be felt in the marrow of your bones. As Mark Twain said, "great literature is like fine wine, but my work is more like water - everyone drinks water." As a Missouri kid I never found anyone to have read Twain, much less enjoyed him unless they be much older than I - when asked on why folks never took the plunge, it was much for same reasons as found in books like this. Anna Smith Spark’s writing demands patience, a willingness to be uncomfortable, and the courage to face the darker parts of ourselves. But for those who are willing to make the journey, the rewards are undeniable. This book is one that I will return to, not just because it’s a masterpiece in its own right, but because it is a living, breathing thing that speaks to the heart in ways that few others do. It may not be for everyone, but for those who understand what it means to be scarred, to be broken, and yet to keep moving forward, *A Sword of Bronze and Ashes* is an experience worth having. Go read it—if you dare. You will need heavy brass ovals among your person - perhaps shape will not matter more than the added luxury of having some hair sprouts for the warmth of what is to come. Chilling may be the more appropriate standard, but damn if my balls didn't feel tested in this one.”

Laura Wattie

Created 6 months ago

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ louisa-mae ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Created 7 months ago

“beautiful and poetic writing. i’d be happy to read this over and over and over again. it did take a little while for me to fully understand the writing though”

About Anna Smith Spark

Anna Smith Spark is a critically acclaimed, multi-award short-listed grimdark epic fantasy novelist. She writes lyrical prose-poetry about war, love, landscapes, and war. Her writing has been described as ‘a masterwork’ by Nightmarish Conjurings, ‘an experience like no other series in fantasy’ by Grimdark Magazine, ‘literary Game of Thrones’ by the Sunday Times, and ‘howls like early Moorcock, converses like the best of Le Guin’ by the Daily Mail.