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“I’ve been developing quite an interest in epic fantasies of late . . . but none has ever challenged, and eventually satisfied the very core of my values and faith . . . as this one has.” —Elle Espiritu, Reedsy Discovery
“Expertly written with really gorgeous prose and some of the most authentic dialogue I've come across in a while in the genre . . . Very highly recommended.” —Asher Syed, Readers' Favorite
“A spiraling story of bloody histories . . . fantasy fans will not be disappointed with this masterfully imagined realm.” —Self-Publishing Review
“A powerful inspection of moral, ethical, and spiritual paths . . . Hælend's Ballad [is] a compelling force to contend with.” —D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
“A triumphant debut . . . morbidly gripping and enriched by darkness, intrigue, and poignant emotions.” —The Prairies Book Review
“A captivating story . . . mature audiences will be engrossed in this epic fantasy novel.” —Literary Titan
“Complex and highly-developed dark fantasy . . . full of heroism, tragedy, love, loss, intrigue and fantastic battle scenes.” —Tenkara Smart, author of She Named Me Wolf
“High fantasy told at a dark level . . . Conrey's prose is atmospheric and gorgeous . . . full of adventure and twists . . . but most of all, great depth of character is exposed.” —Amanda Adam, author of Merewif
“Beautiful . . . I didn't realize how much this would grip me and wrench me from the inside.” —Seth, Goodreads Review
“Reminds you of a Greek tragedy, full of great characters and dramatic scenes . . . this needs to be more hyped!” —Cristiana, NetGalley Review
“Ian Conrey has masterfully written a work of art. . . . rivals all other traditional stories in which there are clear ‘good’ guys and ‘bad’ guys.” —Stormy, Goodreads Review
“It was everything I want in a fantasy book . . . I cannot wait for everyone to get their hands on this!” —Esmeralda, NetGalley Review
A young man signs his own death warrant when he joins an already failing militia. A teenage girl is haunted by her childhood abuse and begins to crave the very things she hates. A childless mother finds herself on the run as a convicted murderer. Yet they are all unaware that their own fates are tied to a young orphan who has drowned and come back to life in a foreign land where he will be the death of everyone he meets.
Hælend’s Ballad is a character-driven grimdark fantasy about what happens when men and women from two colliding cultures realize they may not be on the right side. Heroes are villains. The persecuted are oppressors. And when rumors begin to spread that the world is dying, the darkness of their own hearts betrays them.