The Fifth Ward: First Watch

Book excerpt: The grit of grimdark meets a police procedural in this rollicking debut fantasy series where two watchmen protect the streets of one of fantasy's most dangerous cities. A member of the Yenara City guard has gone missing. The culprit could be any of the usual suspects: drug-dealing orcs, mind-controlling elves, uncooperative mages, or humans being typical humans. It's up to two reluctant partners -- Rem, a miscreant who joins the Watch to pay off his bail, and Torval, a maul-wielding dwarf who's highly unimpressed with the untrained Rem -- to uncover the truth and catch the murderer loose in their fair city. "A brilliant premise, wonderfully told. A city that breathes, and heroes you can't help but root for." -- Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld "A glorious tour through fantasy's seamier side. A wilder ride than Middle Earth, and you'll love every minute of it!" -- Jon Hollins, author of the Dragon Lords series