ARNON signs his own death warrant when he joins an already failing militia. ADELYNE is haunted by her childhood abuse and begins to crave the very things she hates. EIRÚN finds herself on the run as a convicted murderer. Yet they are all unaware that their own fates are tied to a young orphan, SØREN, 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 haunting tale 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.
"A powerful inspection of moral, ethical, and spiritual paths, readers receive a fine story that embraces and contrasts dark appetites, terrible memories, and beauty alike . . . Hælend's Ballad [is] a compelling force to contend with."
"A captivating story with something new and exciting in each chapter. The story explores an intriguing link between actions and consequences. Children and sensitive readers may be uncomfortable with some shocking scenes, but mature audiences will be engrossed in this epic fantasy novel."
"[With] mythos and histories that at once feel both familiar and new, cultural values and a political landscape that both divide and unite its people, and lofty hopes for the future threatened by the prophetic promises of the past . . . you've got an unforgettable reading adventure that you wouldn't mind going through again and falling in love with anew . . . Haelend's Ballad is an epic."
"A sprawling, character-driven fantasy novel with an unforgettable new world for readers to get lost inside. High-fantasy fans will not be disappointed with this masterfully imagined realm. The world-building is unique and detailed, and the patient style of storytelling is engrossing, drawing readers ever deeper into the drama. Meticulously written, with unexpected turns of phrase and instantly authentic dialogue, this hefty tome from Conrey is an impressive, immersive, and impeccably penned tale."
A triumphant debut . . . Conrey's fantasy world is morbidly gripping and enriched by darkness, intrigue, and poignant emotions and enlivened by bloody action . . . He does a first-rate job of propelling the plot along while simultaneously revealing the layers of his protagonists' troubled backstories . . . [and] delves into complex themes of abuse, violence against children and women, honor, integrity, duty, responsibility, and power of forgiveness . . . Gritty and well-constructed, this makes a rich treat for lovers of dark fantasy.
