What’s this story about?

The Crucible Tree continues the story begun in Bane of All Things. (Bane of All Things is available now from Inkshares, Amazon, and most booksellers).

Our main characters, Ryn and Josalind, are caught between conflicting forces that would either use them, kill them, or venerate them as lost gods returned.

Now bound till death to the Living Sword, Ryn could spark religious revolution across the Four Kingdoms. Some revere him as a messiah figure he has no wish to become. Others see him only as a tool to feed their selfish ambitions.

As the Vessel of the Four, Josalind continues to fight for free will from these holy ghosts who haunt her. She has always thought herself at the mercy of their divine power. But what if the power has in fact been hers all along, twisting her into something dark?

The answer for them both may lie with the mysterious Crucible Tree. They find themselves in a race to prevent its destruction, risking the murder of innocents, the sacrifice of family, and devastating war.

Preview the first three chapters under the READ tab

SPOILER ALERT! Yes, if you read those chapters without first having read Bane of All Things, you will be hit with spoilers from all sides. You have been warned.

Where the story takes place

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What others have said about Bane of All Things

"A winner! The twists and turns in these pages surprised me more than once. And hooked me deeper, every time. In a lot of books, we see into a few foreground characters, and the rest remain spear-carriers. Not in this one. The reader grapples with mysteries along with them. And it all feels so real. I can’t wait for the next one.”

—Ed Greenwood, author, creator of The Forgotten Realms®

“Visceral and vivid, Bane of All Things is a gorgeously imagined ride. A terrific read.”

—Kate Heartfield, author of Assassin’s Creed: The Engine of History and The Embroidered Book

"A dark and engrossing epic fantasy that starts off small but just keeps building. I’m really looking forward to what comes next!”

—James Alan Gardner, author of They Promised Me the Gun Wasn’t Loaded

"A fast-paced and enjoyable fantasy debut! Can’t wait to see where Valiquette will take us next!

— Marie Bilodeau, author of Heirs of a Broken Land