Tower of Mud and Straw

Tower of Mud and Straw
Author:

After leaving his ball and chain at the workplace, Yaroslav Barsukov goes on to write stories that deal with things he himself, thankfully, doesn’t have to deal with. He’s a software engineer and a connoisseur of strong alcoholic beverages—but also, surprisingly, a member of SFWA and Codex (how did that happen?). At some point in his life, he’s left one former empire only to settle in another.

Synopsis:

"THE QUEEN BELIEVES HER LEGACY IS A TWO THOUSAND FOOT MONSTROSITY. DRAKIRI BELIEVE THAT SAME MONSTROSITY WILL BRING ABOUT THE APOCALYPSE. ONE BELIEF AGAINST THE OTHER."

Minister Shea Ashcroft took pity on innocents. The result was violence and exile. Out on the border, all he's in charge of now is construction of the queen's massive defensive tower, using technology brought by refugees from another world. But one of them warns him that the plan to use her people's devices may draw attention none of them can afford. If Shea backtracks, his future will be destroyed. If he doesn't, they all may be.

Blurbs and Reviews:

"Tower of Mud and Straw is a poetic tale of love, loss, and otherworldly powers. The luscious bittersweet feel of this novella will haunt readers in the best sort of way." — Beth Cato (author of Breath of Earth)

"Poetry in prose... I love a story that is huge, but also incredibly intimate, and this novella managed to encompass both of these things." — Miltos Yerolemou (Syrio Forel in Game of Thrones)

"Barsukov's prose is not merely a feast for the eyes, it is an explosion of textures, a narrative metaphor that wraps the reader in gritty burlaps of politics, the oaken solidity of wonder, and powerful silks of longing." — Lawrence M. Schoen (author of Barsk: The Elephants' Graveyard)

"One of the best and most compelling fantasy novellas of the year." — RisingShadow.net

"It's different, and eye-catching, with stunning prose and a shocking amount of depth and story packed in a few short pages." — Bookworm Blues

"A fine example of a novella format." — Fantasy Book Critic

"A beautiful blend of steampunk and fantasy together in a novella that both asks and answers many questions." — History That Never Was

"I was literally yelling, NO!, while reading this. Trust me, it was totally warranted." — Shannara Reads It All

"A very intriguing look into a world that I hope will be further explored." — Novel Notions

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