Infernal

A daring new voice in fantasy, with an anti-hero like no other

Stratus wakes alone, with no memory of his past. All he knows is his name and that he is not human. Possessing immense strength, powerful sorcery and an insatiable hunger, he sets out across a landscape torn apart by a war, as a dark magic drives the world to the brink of destruction.

Disoriented and pursued relentlessly by enemies, he will have to learn what he truly is, or risk bringing the world into ruin...

Del Rey, an imprint of Ebury Publishing, has acquired "a bold new voice in fantasy fiction" in author Mark de Jager.

His title Infernal was acquired by Michael Rowley, editorial director at Del Rey, from m.d. David Headley and associate agent Harry Illingworth at DHH Literary Agency, in Illingworth's first deal for the company. Headley and Illingworth also work at Goldsboro Books in London's Cecil Court. Rowley acquired world all language rights to the title, including audio, film and TV.

Infernal is described as fantasy thriller of "action-packed, dark and violent fantasy thriller". Its anti-hero is Stratus is a possessor of "powerful sorcery" who wakes up in an unfamiliar place with "nothing but the knowledge that he is not human". Bent on vengeance for what he has become, he must navigate a landscape torn apart by the 10 year war.

Rowley said: "Written in a style that reminds me of bestselling authors Joe Abercrombie and Peter V. Brett, I was instantly drawn to the character Stratus, an anti-hero set to take the genre by storm and break new ground. Like a magical blend of Jason Bourne and Jack Reacher, he moves through the world as an unstoppable force of nature in this action-packed, dark and violent fantasy thriller. We’re thrilled to have Mark on the Del Rey list."

Headley added: "Mark de Jager is a powerful new voice in epic fantasy fiction, and has created an anti-hero like no other. Infernal is a genre-bending, dark and thunderous read that will appeal to science fiction, fantasy and thriller readers alike. Myself and Harry were blown away by the enthusiasm showed by Michael at Del Rey, and are delighted that Mark will be joining their list."