{"product_id":"the-trials-of-ashmount-9798986273716","title":"The Trials of Ashmount","description":"\u003cp\u003eCedain is destined to collapse.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcross a world rife with blood, betrayal, and brutality, five people wade through unexpected tragedies.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn egotistical student, a fleeing refugee, a nomadic warrior, a fallen noble, and a criminal in hiding navigate the sinister dealings of politicians, two sudden wars, and nefarious lies that surface at Ashmount-a university dedicated to teaching the five branches of magic.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSurvival means adapting or dying.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFans of Joe Abercrombie and hard magic systems will enjoy navigating a morally gray cast of characters in a world on the brink of collapse.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePraise for \u003cem\u003eThe Trials of Ashmount\u003c\/em\u003e: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"In creating this complex world, brimming with nefarious characters, political backstabbing, and personal deceit, the author proves himself to be a promising new voice in grimdark fiction.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e- Grimdark Magazine\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Combining grit, drama, humor and tragedy, \u003cem\u003eThe Trials of Ashmount \u003c\/em\u003eis a very promising debut and solid start to this series. Fans of Joe Abercrombie, Rob J. Hayes, and Ed McDonald, this is for you.\" \u003c\/strong\u003e- FanFiAddict\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Palladino's debut novel is a promising start to his fantasy series, and he has created a deliciously brutal, grimdark world, filled with a whole horde of colourful characters. If you are a fan of grimdark fantasy, you will lap this up like a cat to milk.\" \u003c\/strong\u003e- Before We Go Blog\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eThe Trials of Ashmount\u003c\/em\u003e was a great read with plenty of action, skulduggery, and skulfuckery, and one that I enjoyed from start to finish.\" \u003c\/strong\u003e- Queen's Book Asylum\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"There is not one single thing I would change about this book, hence the 5 star rating.\" \u003c\/strong\u003e- The Nerdy Narrative\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"And what a magic system. There are so many of these in epic fantasy these days that it's tough to really make a standout one. But with this, Palladino hits the target and then brutally eviscerates said target.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e - E.L. Crocker, Goodreads Reviewer\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"This debut novel does all the right things: immerses you in a fresh and new fantasy world, develops a new magic system, describes action in fluid and thrilling ways and keeps the reader turning pages, leaving us wanting more.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e- J. H. Sageman, Goodreads reviewer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"John Palladino","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50534089916690,"sku":"9798986273716","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_406e8eec-6937-4abc-894c-4d03e55f7b7a.jpg?v=1731422326","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-trials-of-ashmount-9798986273716","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}