Cover Reveal: Barbarian Emperor
Newsletter readers and those who follow me on Twitter already know about my next release. As a quick break from the Heroes Unleashed Universe, I knocked out a nice fantasy epic that features a gladiator clawing his way out of the arena, crossing half an empire and back, and confronting a derelict empire with sword in hand.
Along the way he must face the difficult choice between two enchanting women, and he must learn how to become the leader he was always meant to be.
This work can be enjoyed for the roller coaster twists and turns of a military fantasy adventure, but it also touches on some deeper themes. The brotherhood of battle. An Andersonian* Law vs. Chaos cosmology that touches every living soul, even if they don’t believe in it. How to serve a beloved nation ruled by corrupt leaders. This light fare packs some weight behind the veneer of action and suspense.
At heart, it deals with the strange dichotomy, the balancing act all men conduct when faced with the choice between barbarous effectiveness and civilized apathy. In these polarizing times, it’s worth spending a little time asking yourself, “How barbaric would I become to save my civilization?”
This novel presents one answer to that question. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself wondering whether it’s the right one or not.
*If you prefer the Johnny Come Lately term, one could also call this cosmology Moorcockian, as he borrowed extensively from Poul Anderson when he wrote the Elric series.