Book cover of The Jewel in the Skull

Book description

“Those who dare swear by the Runestaff must then benefit or suffer from the consequences of the fixed pattern of destiny that they set in motion. Several such oaths have been sworn in the history of the Runestaff’s existence...”—The High History of the Runestaff Dorian Hawkmoon, late the Duke of…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Jewel in the Skull as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This is a masterpiece of the New Wave fantasy novels of the 1960s and 1970s. The hero, Dorian Hawkmoon, is a nobleman in the far future where science has become so advanced it is indistinguishable from magic. Hawkmoon is forced to work for his enemies by a magical jewel they embed in his forehead. Hawkmoon’s world is Europe, but hardly recognisable, and a vast empire with impossible super-technology is conquering the whole continent. It’s a story of heroism vs magic in a war where the technological wonders feel alien and familiar all at once. The evil empire of Granbretan, where…

From Matt's list on fantastic heroes at war.

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The Cave of Past and Present by Scott J. Bradley,

The Cave of Past and Present is an archaeological descent into a living labyrinth—part ruin, part machine, part prophecy.

When Moria Chione follows a vanished colleague into the empire’s wild fringes, she uncovers a sentient subterranean archive that reshapes itself around intruders and rewrites their memories as easily as stone.…

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