Synopses & Reviews
A thrilling, inventive follow-up to The Desert of Souls by Howard Andrew Jones, a "rare master of the storytellers art" (Greenmanreview.com)As a snowfall blankets 8th century Mosul, a Persian noblewoman arrives at the home of the scholar Dabir and his friend the swordsman Captain Asim. Najya has escaped from a dangerous cabal that has ensorcelled her to track down ancient magical tools of tremendous power, the bones of the old ones.
To stop the cabal and save Najya, Dabir and Asim venture into the worst winter in human memory, hunted by a shape-changing assassin. The stalwart Asim is drawn irresistibly toward the beautiful Persian even as Dabir realizes she may be far more dangerous a threat than anyone who pursues them, for her enchantment worsens with the winter. As their opposition grows, Dabir and Asim have no choice but to ally with their deadliest enemy, the treacherous Greek necromancer, Lydia. But even if they can trust one another long enough to escape their foes, it may be too late for Najya, whose soul is bound up with a vengeful spirit intent on sheathing the world in ice for a thousand years...
“The Bones of the Old Ones is a damn good tale that not only pays homage to the masters, but sets its own print on the genre.” --SF Signal
“This rousing sequel to The Desert of Souls offers a mélange of ancient adventure myths populated by convincing, endearing characters… As intricately woven as the magic carpet of Greek sorceress Lydia, Joness tale incorporates real historical personages and settings like Mosul of “haggard beauty” from the early days of Islam, and fills the pages with gallantry and glamour to provide a thrilling spectacle.” -Publishers Weekly, starred review
Review
Praise for Bones of the Old Ones
“The Bones of the Old Ones is a damn good tale that not only pays homage to the masters, but sets its own print on the genre.” --SF Signal
“This rousing sequel to The Desert of Souls offers a mélange of ancient adventure myths populated by convincing, endearing characters… As intricately woven as the magic carpet of Greek sorceress Lydia, Joness tale incorporates real historical personages and settings like Mosul of “haggard beauty” from the early days of Islam, and fills the pages with gallantry and glamour to provide a thrilling spectacle.” -Publishers Weekly, starred review
"By turns groundbreaking and classical, Howard Andrew Jones is a pure joy to read." - Nebula and Campbell Award finalist Saladin Ahmed
“A thumbs-up for series fans.” --Kirkus
"Jones is a resurrector of unfairly forgotten tales and an illuminator of a neglected milieu. His love for the setting of the Dabir and Asim stories is as obvious as his grasp of classic sword-and-sorcery forms. The result is something rich and brisk at the same time, just as it ought to be." -Scott Lynch, author of Red Seas Under Red Skies
“The Bones of the Old Ones is one lovely fantastical adventure, blending mystery, romance and magic in such a way that I had to keep reading. There were moments of laughter, passion, and edge-of-my-seat surprises. A fabulous read!” --Elizabeth Vaughan, USA Today bestselling author of the Chronicles of the Warlands series
“In the midst of a sea of Tolkein clones, Howard A. Jones stands out with his Arabian Nights inspired detective stories. Rollicking, and magical. What more could you want?" --Mary Robinette Kowal, Hugo and Campbell Award Winner
Praise for Howard Andrew Jones
“Like the genie of the lamp, Howard Jones has granted this reader's wish for a fresh, exciting take on the venerable genre of sword-and-sorcery!” --Richard A. Knaak, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Legends of the Dragonrealm
"Howard Jones wields magic like a subtle blade and action like a mighty cleaver in his scimitars and sorcery tale, weaving together Arabian myth, history, and some honest-to-gosh surprises to create a unique story that youll not soon forget." -- Monte Cook, author of The Dungeon Masters Guide, 3rd Edition
"A rousing tale of swords against sorcery. Howard Jones writes with wit and flair. His world is involving, authentic and skilfully evoked. The best fantasy novel I have read all year." -- William King, Author of the Space Wolf trilogy and creator of Gotrek and Felix
“Howard Jones proves himself a rare master of the storytellers art, a talent uncommon even amongst successful novelists.” -Greenmanreview.com
“Smooth and effortless, with a definite middle-eastern flair, I fell in love with Joness style and his skill at weaving adventure, action, wit, religion, and realism into a cohesive story..” -- hippogriff.wordpress.com
“His grand sense of storytelling [makes] Howard Andrew Jones a writer to be reckoned with for many years to come.” -- roguebladesentertainment.com
“Jones's writing style makes one feel as if they're listening to someone with incredible narrative talent telling a story... In Jones's hands, the characters come to vivid life… and it's easy to feel as if you've been transported back to early Baghdad as well.” -FreshFiction.com
Synopsis
A thrilling, inventive follow-up to The Desert of Souls by Howard Andrew Jones, a "rare master of the storytellers art" (Greenmanreview.com) Combining the masterful fantasy of Robert E . Howard with the high-speed action of Bernard Cornwell, Howard Andrew Jones breathes new life into the glittering tradition of sword-and-sorcery with the latest tale of Dabir and Assims adventures. Our heroes are living comfortably in Mosul under the patronage of the citys governor. Despite the regions rare frostbitten winter, things are going well until a desperate young woman named Najya is brought to them, claiming that she has escaped from a sorcerous cabal and that her memory has been altered in a dangerous magic ritual. Dabir fears much more is at stake, especially when someone claiming to be Najyas father arrives and attacks them. Dabir and Asim stave off the wizard and flee with Najya to the governors palace, where they find the first of the hidden tools sought by the cabal: the Bones of the Old Ones. Dabir and Asim quickly realize that more than one group is after the girl and the Bones, and they must race against time to stop their enemies dark quest from plunging the world into a neverending winter.
About the Author
HOWARD ANDREW JONES is the acknowledged expert on fiction writer Harold Lamb. He is the Managing Editor of Black Gate magazine, and he blogs regularly at its website.