The Obsidian Druid
Three monstrous tumari escaped the labyrinthine dungeon beneath the sea. One ripped apart the frozen homeland of the Asrai, staining the ice crimson with their blood. One blundered its way into the ancient forest of Nymed, and one rose in the city of Armoria, crushing buildings and bone beneath its great webbed feet. Only Dewer—ageless High Lord of the city—knows the truth behind the creatures’ wanton destruction, and he hasn’t trusted anyone with his secrets for over one hundred years.
Gwin, a moon-blessed Asrai with the ability to freeze flesh, arrives in Armoria determined to raise an army against the man who slaughtered her family. When she discovers that city guard, Vanth, harbours magick of her own, she knows she would make a powerful ally, but Vanth would rather see Gwin hang than turn traitor.
Vanth the Vile is many things: a skilled swordswoman, a debauched tavern crawler, and a Salt Sword fiercely loyal to the High Lord who saved her from a life on the streets. The one thing she never wanted to be was moon-blessed. In a city where those caught using magick without permission are left to rot in Dewer’s Pit, embracing her burgeoning powers would be a dangerous gamble.
The twin moons of Joria are turning. For a century, the night has shone silver in Mamai’s cold light, but when Aikana comes to the fore, the world will dazzle beneath her violet glow. The Changing of the Moons heralds a time of unrest and upheaval, and Vanth has a devastating decision to make.
The Obsidian Druid is book one of The Age of Aikana—a dark epic fantasy set in a rich world of cut-throat cities, satyr warriors, rum-soaked taverns, scheming witches, and creeping forests besieged by the horrors that crawl in the shadows.
Caroline Barnard-Smith
Caroline Barnard-Smith is a speculative fiction author with too many ideas. She's written horror, epic fantasy, and sci-fi, and she adamantly refuses to pick a favourite.
Alongside her novels, Caroline's short stories have appeared in Crawling, Annihilation Radiation, and many other places. She is currently writing an epic fantasy trilogy while simultaneously drafting a weird sci-fi novel set in a planetary system that revolves around a colossal, sentient head. The effort may well tip her over the edge.
Caroline and her family live in the wild valleys of Devon in the UK. They are owned by a grumpy orange cat.
The Age of Aikana
The Age of Aikana consists of one book, and the series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.