From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Buehlman has a real gift for writing complicated, endearing characters trying to do their best in a complicated, fully lived-in world. I can’t wait for his next book.”―Kelly Link, bestselling author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist Get in Trouble
“Christopher Buehlman’s worldbuilding is second-to-none, so grimly evocative it feels like the worst parts of history in the best possible way. Galva’s story is full of heartbreak and despair, but its darkness is balanced by exquisitely-crafted moments that explore the bonds of friendship, sisterhood, and love that endure despite the soul-shattering horrors of war.”―Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld
“Thrilling. . . Series fans looking for insight into Buehlman’s badass heroine’s psyche will want to check this out.”―Publishers Weekly
“When I read The Blacktongue Thief, I immediately wanted more in this fascinating world and especially more of Galva; thankfully, Buehlman has delivered! Her character shines from every page, grizzled and naïve both at once. Poetic, insightful, and grim without being hopeless. I loved it!”―Django Wexler, author of The Thousand Names
“A masterful tale of war and loss. The Daughters’ War is achingly beautiful, and once it has you in its grip, it will not let go until you turn that final page.”―Shauna Lawless, author of The Children of Gods and Fighting Men
“Fans of the previous book will relish this prequel, while those who have never read The Blacktongue Thief will find much to enjoy in this unflinching look at family, loss, love, and war. Highly recommended for all fantasy collections.”―Booklist, STARRED review
“Beuhlman bursts through the confines of modern fantasy with a story by turns profane, brutal, beautiful, devastating. A work of towering imagination, twists of a razor-honed wit, Galva’s indelible voice, characters that move with undeniable authenticity to their fates―The Daughters’ War shows what fantasy can be in the hands of a master. Prepare yourself.”―John Hornor Jacobs, author of A Lush and Seething Hell
“The Daughters’ War is so exactly what I want in a fantasy novel it almost feels as if Chris wrote it for me.”―Christian Cameron, author of Killer of Men
“Readers who were caught up in the political shenanigans, hopeless battles, and pyrrhic victories of Brian McClellan’s In the Shadow of Lightning or Daniel Abraham’s Age of Ash will be enthralled, while those who like their grimdark fantasy to trip over into horror will find similarities between the characters of Galva and Alex Easton from T. Kingfisher’s What Feasts at Night.”―Library Journal, STARRED review
“The Daughters’ War is the rare prequel that makes you want to pick up the first book again. . . . It’s a story of loss and horror and inexplicable beauty.”―Locus
Mike De Lucia –
Christopher Buehlman doesn’t write fantasy or horror. Not truly. He writes people who happen to experience (or cause) horror and sometimes live in realms we consider fantastical.But his great gift, which he kindly, lovingly shares with us, is to create real-seeming people and breathe life into them so that we can watch them struggle and learn and commit great deeds or terrible crimes or simply make the mistakes that people make. They grow as we watch them, the greatest of these people becoming very different by the time they leave us.This is true of Christopher’s other great works and of The Daughters’ War. If there is such a thing as high fantasy, filled with brightness, beauty, and song, then surely this is low fantasy, as it is comprised largely of blood, death, and suffering. Galva dom Braga is awash in all three as she slogs through the latest war between mankind and the vicious, distinctly inhuman goblins who have invaded her world. We watch her grow from unblooded, untested soldier to a warrior of note, but more importantly we journey alongside her as she deals also with the very human, very relatable topics of love, family, religion, mortality, social class, loss, fear, and hopelessness. It’s a powerful journey, well crafted and expertly told. It speaks to our shared experience as humans as deeply as any other great work of storytelling. It’s not always a comforting, easy read, but that’s part of its lesson. There’s much more to life than comfort and ease, and when we are challenged, as we all are at times, we can learn a lot about dealing with those challenges by considering the journey of Galva dom Braga in The Daughters’ War and beyond.
Kye Wood –
Probably my least favorite book of his if I’m honest. It is a good backstory on Galva and the great wars of this brutal, but compelling world. The story is solely from Galva’s perspective and I think that is my main gripe with it. The use of letters to fill in the blanks is clever and well done. I just don’t think Galva was entertaining enough of a character to carry the entire tale. She is very dry and guarded. Her ability to keep the story entertaining was lacking compared to Kinch from the first book. I also don’t really dig prequels. It was still well written and the world itself was compelling enough to help me see the story through to the end. It was very brutal and heartbreaking as any tale of war probably should be. I’m still excited for the next book in the series, but this is probably not a story I will revisit.
M. Brown –
I was already a fan of this world thanks to his earlier book, The Blacktongue Thief, but this book is, in my opinion, his finest work to date. It’s just a snapshot of a time in the world that he has masterfully created, but it is so full and has such depth. He does a great job with the horrors and brutality of war – it reads like an actual memoir at times, despite being set in a medieval fantasy world.It’s a moving, emotional story as well, one that I had to absorb slowly, taking my time reading it. After some chapters, I’d need to put it down to let it sink in. I’ll be coming back to it for another read, but not before I dive back into Blacktongue Thief!A must read.
Kenneth E. Evans –
I’m not typically a fan of prequels, but this is the rare exception. The minute I finished it, I dove right back to the first book. It broadens and expands this amazing world.I’m also so impressed with the author’s ability to write a completely different book in terms of style, themes, and emotions. His decision to push himself (and us) into new ground paid off handsomely. I love this book as much as the first but for completely different reasons.Ultimately, this is one of the most exciting and interesting fantasy series of the last twenty years. I can’t wait to see where we go next.
Kindle Customer –
This is a prequel to The blacktounge thief, which is also a awesome book!I really enjoyed the world that was created, and the people you feel you know from the words used to create them.I hope you enjoy these as much as I did!
The Captain –
Ahoy there mateys! This book is the prequel to The Blacktongue Thief. This is the story of the Daughters’ War and Galva the Knight’s part in it. It is a book I very much enjoyed even if I didn’t necessarily need it. I had enjoyed Galva as a bit of an enigma. However, the opening of the book has such a great set-up that I was immediately pulled in:”I was under sail, on my way to war. On my way to fall in love with death, and with a queen. On my way to lose all of my friends, and two of my brothers. I would see a great city fall in blood and fire, betrayed by a false god. Later, I would be commanded to die on a high stone bridge, but I would fail in this.”The tone of this novel is very different from book one. It is very dark and grim with not a lot of the humor. Galva takes her responsibilities very seriously. The plot deals with Galva’s actions in the war while reminiscing about her upbringing and relationship with her three brothers. The best part of this book, of course, are the war Corvids. I loved learning how they were made, trained, and used to kill the Goblins. I also enjoyed seeing Galva’s inexperience turn into skill and also learning how Galva came to find her life’s purpose. Hearing her story from her own point-of-view did enrich my respect for the character and was an interesting counterpoint to how Kinch Na Shannack views her in book one.I am very glad that I read them in publishing order. I recommend that other readers do the same. Arrr!
Joseph A. Giaquinto –
I was annoyed when I found out this was a prequel. But it didn’t take more than a few paragraphs to get me competent hooked. An excellent read from start to finish.
Amazon Customer –
Christopher Buehlman writes beautiful prose, and he uses it to create an intriguing world and deeply drawn characters to inhabit it. Galva is one of the most interesting protagonists I’ve read in a while, and her story is at turns exhilarating and poignant. You will love her by the end of the novel.This is a prequel to The Blacktongue Thief (another truly excellent book) but it stands on its own.
Jim Humphries –
I’ve Found a New Favourite Author!
I’m very picky about picking up new books, I already have so many great tomes in my home library.When I saw this author as a guest on Ty and That Guy podcast I decided to read Between Two Fires. It was a good read, the story was a bit out there but the prose was fantastic and incredibly readable.Cut to The Blacktongue Thief.It reminded me of Perdido Street Station in it’s world building but the prose was both funny and gritty.If you play D&D (or even better DCC) this book is so much in your wheelhouse.Don’t even mull it over just buy it (and The Blacktongue Thief), you won’t regret it.
squidbeak –
I’d give it 7 stars if I could
This is a prequel to the Blacktongue Thief, but was published afterwards. I love Blacktongue Thief – a super story full of humour, wit, tradegy and adventure. This however tops it in all areas, I’ve seldom read such a beautiful, bleak and breathtaking book. Buy both of these books they are a treasure.
OJB –
OK but not as good as Black Tongued Thief
Prequels are tricky.This was OK.Really great in places, not in others.The first book was delightful and I hope for a sequel that matches it.
Kindle Customer –
Brilliant
Best book I’ve read in years.Can’t wait to read the Blacktouge theif.Wish the book was longer, couldn’t put it down
Anon –
Masterclass in Worldbuilding
If you enjoy military fantasy, you will love this book. Reminded me a lot of Black Company with Galva’s direct and brutal, yet poetic narration.This book is very different from The Black tongued Thief but similar to his previous work Between Two Fires – it’s a bit of a middle ground between the two.This is a story that will stay in your head and heart for years to come.Thank you Christopher Buehlman for writing such an incredible novel. Inspiring.