The Coward, Stephen Aryan
The Coward, Stephen Aryan
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The Coward

Author: Stephen Aryan

Narrator: Matt Wycliff

Unabridged: 14 hr 50 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Angry Robot

Published: 05/25/2021

Synopsis

Who will take up the mantle and slay the evil in the Frozen North, saving all from death and destruction? Not Kell Kressia, he's done his part...

Kell Kressia is a legend, a celebrity, a hero. Aged just seventeen he set out on an epic quest with a band of wizened fighters to slay the Ice Lich and save the world, but only he returned victorious. The Lich was dead, the ice receded and the Five Kingdoms were safe.

Ten years have passed Kell lives a quiet farmer's life, while stories about his heroism are told in every tavern across the length and breadth of the land. But now a new terror has arisen in the north. Beyond the frozen circle, north of the Frostrunner clans, something has taken up residence in the Lich's abandoned castle. And the ice is beginning to creep south once more.

For the second time, Kell is called upon to take up his famous sword, Slayer, and battle the forces of darkness. But he has a terrible secret that nobody knows. He's not a hero - he was just lucky. Everyone puts their faith in Kell the Legend, but he's a coward who has no intention of risking his life for anyone...

About The Author

Stephen Aryan is the author of the Age of Darkness and Age of Dread trilogies. His first novel, Battlemage, was a finalist for the David Gemmell Morningstar Award for best debut fantasy novel. It also won the inaugural Hellfest Inferno Award in France. He has previously written a comic book column and reviews for Tor.com. In addition, he has self-published and kickstarted his own comics.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Nicole on May 07, 2022

The premise of this book sounded interesting. A "coward" hero forced to go on a mission to defeat this dangerous evil. The execution, though? Not so much. I'm not a fast reader but this book took me weeks to finish (and even 1000+ pages books never take me that long). I wasn't even remotely interest......more

Goodreads review by Holly Hearts Books on June 06, 2021

With a rich world that creates a great sense of grand scale, and piles and piles of heart, Stephen Aryan writes more beautiful terrain and fame thirsty warriors. It makes the adventure a blast and is buoyed by some fantastic enemy creature designs, though these successes are married to a fairly basi......more

Goodreads review by Dannii on October 14, 2024

This is the first instalment to the Quest for Heroes series. Kell Kressida is a renowned hero of his kingdom. Wherever he ventures, stories of his conquests and insights to the heroes he adventured alongside are requested. Kell reluctantly shares his secrets. Or, at least some of them. The truth abou......more

Goodreads review by Library of a Viking on June 16, 2021

A heartwarming, engaging and fun fantasy adventure! The Coward is the first book in the Quest of Heroes series, and is the first book I have read by Stephen Aryan. After seeing the beautiful cover and reading the synopsis, I knew I had to read it. The Coward follows Kell Kressia, who is a legend and......more

Goodreads review by Andrews on June 25, 2024

HERE is the link to my GUSH review of The Coward The Coward is such a criminally underrated story! This book is some of the best Heroic Fantasy I have read. The Coward is a modern Sword and Sorcery tale similar to the works of David Gemmell. I would go as far as to say that Aryan is the true successo......more

Quotes

"Packing in an epic’s worth of action and feeling, this thought-provoking fantasy argues that even the most vicious monster battles are less harrowing than the struggles within men’s souls. This is a knockout."
– Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"Magnificent...Exactly the sort of breathless adventure we need after a lockdown year"
– SFX Magazine

"Aryan’s newest series is sure to please  fantasy readers; he wraps everything up masterfully while leaving just enough unresolved questions for the sequel"
– Booklist

"A tremendous sword & sorcery romp with a lot of heart and plenty to say. I really enjoyed this book."
– Peter McLean, author of Priest of Bones 
"Stephen Aryan puts the epic into Epic Fantasy."
– Den Patrick, author of The Boy with the Porcelain Blade

"Aryan's battle scenes are visceral masterpieces that transport the reader deep into the melee."
– Taran Matharu, author of the Summoner series

"Sparkling action sequences punctuate keen dialogue and a journey full of colour and interest... Compelling, consuming and a novel in which no character can be considered supporting cast... Bring on the sequel." 
– James Barclay, author of The Chronicles of the Raven

"Fast-paced and action-packed, steeped in plots and schemes – a great fantasy tale."
– Ed Cox, author of The Relic Guild Trilogy

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