Combining the best of fantasy traditions with her own unique vision, Sarah Ash brings to dazzling life a new saga filled with epic adventure and unforgettable characters. Far-reaching in scope and imagination, Lord of Snow and Shadows embarks on a journey like no other — into a shape-shifting world teeming with political intrigue, astonishing magic, and passions both dark and light.

Raised by his protective mother in the sunny clime of the south, Gavril Andar knows nothing of his father — or the ominous legacy that awaits him. But his innocence is about to be shattered. The man who ruled the wintry kingdom of Azhkendir, a man infused with the burning blood of the dragon-warrior known as Drakhaoul, has been murdered by his enemies. It is his fiery, chameleonlike blood that pulses through Gavril's veins. The news is Gavril's first taste of death — but it will not be his last. For blood is the liquid that seals his fate.

Expected by clan warriors from the north to avenge his father's murder — and still his unquiet ghost — Gavril is kidnapped. He soon learns that becoming Drakhaon means not only ascending to the throne of Azhkendir but changing, in subtle ways at first, into a being of extraordinary power and might. A being that must be replenished with the blood of innocents in order to survive. Ensconced in Kastel Drakhaon with no means of escape from the icebound kingdom, and carefully watched by neighboring rulers waiting to move against him, the untested Gavril must fight to retain his human heart and soul in the face of impending war — and the dark instincts that threaten to overpower him.

Man and beast, spymaster and insurgent, nature and the netherworld — all collide in phenomenal twists and turns. A masterwork of adventure fantasy, Lord of Snow and Shadows will leave you stunned — and longing for more.

"[An] excellent start....Enhanced by supporting characters who are living, breathing individuals, this book will leave readers drooling to get their hands on the sequel from the moment they turn its final page." Publishers Weekly

"Ash's interesting, quickly paced dark fantasy emphasizes the power of love to conquer evil and the making of responsible choices." Booklist

"Hypercomplicated yet independently intelligible....Darting, unpredictable, often absorbing, but lacking the spark of true originality." Kirkus Reviews

"Set in a world that draws heavily on the lore of ancient Russia, this series opener features an unusual hero who battles his inner demons in order to remain true to himself. A good choice for most fantasy collections." Library Journal

The first book in the Tears of Artamon saga pays homage to the genre's traditions while carving a refreshingly bold place for its exciting new author. Trapped in a land racked by bitter rivalries, Gavril must take up the mantle of his father's rule to unite a divided kingdom.

Sarah Ash, who trained as a musician, is the author of three fantasy novels: Moths to a Flame, Songspinners, and The Lost Child. She also runs the library in a local primary school. Sarah Ash has two grown-up sons and lives in Beckenham, Kent, with her husband and their mad cat, Molly. She is currently at work on the second book of the Tears of Artamon.