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The Blighted City

Written by: Scott Kaelen
Narrated by: Todd Menesses
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Publisher's Summary

"To challenge the gods is to invite their wrath." So it is written of Lachyla, the Blighted City, in the Codex of the Ages. But who reads codices? And who really believes the tall stories of the Taleweavers?

Dagra does. If it's a story about the gods - even a dead god - he believes every word. When his sellsword team is offered a contract to cross the Deadlands and find a burial jewel in the crypts of the Blighted City, Dagra wants no part of it. His companions are undaunted by the legend; to them, the blurred divide between the living and the dead is superstitious nonsense. Completing the contract would earn their guild's failing reputation a much-needed boost and secure them the bounty of a lifetime. They're going, with or without him. Torn between the convictions of his beliefs and the importance of his friendships, Dagra reluctantly journeys into the godless region in search of the fabled city. But the Deadlands are only the first challenge. The sellswords uncover an age-old deception when they learn that Lachyla's foul seed is much darker than its legend, that its truth must forever remain untold or risk plunging humanity into an eternal nightmare. Snagged on the barbs of the blight, Dagra faces the toughest choice of his life...and of his death.

The Blighted City is a dark epic fantasy adventure for adults and mature teens. As the first full-length entry of The Fractured Tapestry series, the novel can also be heard as a stand-alone story.

Achievements for The Blighted City:

  • Semi-finalist in SPFBO4 (Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off)
  • Finalist in the Fantasy category of IAA2020 (Independent Audiobook Awards)
©2018 Scott Kaelen (P)2019 Scott Kaelen

What the critics say

"The action scenes are vivid and fast-paced. The characters are varied and detailed, the settings rich and immersive." (Rebekah Teller at Kreative Joose)

"A fantastically dark and macabre journey. It reminded me of one of my favorite books, The Death of the Necromancer by Martha Wells. When an author takes the time to build a solid history, it adds so much depth and mystery that make it a joy to read. Scott Kaelen has accomplished that tenfold. This book had virtually every box checked that I love in a great dark fantasy read. A truly wonderful book with world-building of the highest quality. I recommend The Blighted City without reservation." (Nick T. Borrelli at Out Of This World SFF Reviews)

"Scott Kaelen's The Blighted City is a ton of fun. He does suspense and action well, and the way he plays out his storyline is great. He brings the characters and their banter to rich life. If you like George R.R. Matrin and Joe Abercrombie, give this a read. I don't think you'll be disappointed in the least." (Josh Mauthe at The Library Police)

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