So, finally we come to the end of this series, and with it, the end of the Banished Land’s tales. Although Of Blood and Bone is a trilogy that can be read as a standalone series, it is also the final chapter of a longer history that involves the four books from The Faithful and the Fallen series. When read together they form around a one-hundred-and-fifty-year history of the Banished Lands, and a sizeable chunk of my life. Roughly seventeen years have flown by, I think, since lifting my pen and writing down my first ideas. I hope that you’ve enjoyed your time spent here, and that this book feels like a fitting and satisfying conclusion to all that has gone before.
As with any book, it has not been written alone, and there is a whole warband of people to thank.
My daughter, Harriett, was seriously unwell during the time I was supposed to have written this book. Thank God she is well now, but to say it was a dark, difficult time does not really come close. For a long time I did zero writing, and then, when Harriett was home and on the recovery trail, I started going back to the Banished Lands. With a lot of help from my family, and kindness and understanding from my publisher—I’m thinking of you, Bella Pagan—I managed to write this last instalment in something of a marathon sitting. Deadlines were adjusted and I cancelled a lot of what I would call “general life stuff” to get this book finished.
Whilst I was writing, I was reminded of the things that are most important; family, friends, love and kindness. I hope that you find a glimmer of these things in this book—as well as a lot of battle and bloodshed, of course.
So, on with my thanks.
My wife, Caroline, the engine room of our family, a woman I love and respect beyond my meagre powers of description.
My children, Harriett, James, Ed and Will. I love you all dearly, and thank you for being the wonderful, quirky, adorable human beings that you are.
Julie “Bloodthirsty” Crisp, my extraordinary agent and editor. If this book makes you weep at any point, I’m going to point the finger at her…
Bella Pagan, head of Tor UK and an all-round fabulous person to work with, as well as, of course, all the team at Tor UK and Pan Macmillan for their behind-the-scenes work.
The always excellent Priyanka Krishnan, my editor at Orbit U.S., as well as the whole team at Orbit. Your efforts to get the Banished Lands out there are deeply appreciated.
Jessica Cuthbert-Smith, my copy-editor, who never fails to amaze me with the level of depth and detail that she throws herself into all things Banished Lands.
A huge thank you to my small warband of beta-readers. I will never stop being grateful to you for giving up your time to delve into my world, and your thoughts and comments are always gratefully received.
Ed and Will, who I suspect know the Banished Lands better than I do. Our Banished Lands chats (and battle reconstructions) have made for some wonderful memories.
My dear friend, Sadak. Who would have thought our “Tolkien Club” at school (where we were the only members) would have brought us here! Thank you for taking the time to read and chat over this book. I’m still recovering from how organized you were this time round.
Kareem Mahfouz, a force of nature. Your excitement and passion for the Banished Lands and our gang of heroes has been a constant encouragement and source of joy. Chats on the phone with you have become a tradition that I look forward to after every book.
Mike Evans. One of the first friends I made when I embarked on this publishing rollercoaster, always kind and ready to give of your time and thoughts. And your contributions are invaluable, especially on the military details—although I never want to know how you have come by such specific knowledge.
And Mark Roberson, who has been reading drafts of my books as long as I’ve been writing them. Our Banished Land’s chats over a breakfast are becoming a solid tradition.
And, of course, an enormous thank-you is aimed at you, the reader. Without you there would be no Banished Lands. No Corban and Storm, no Drem, Riv or Bleda. Thank you for following me on this adventure. I hope that you’ve enjoyed reading it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it, and that you find this last chapter something to shout a battle-cry about.
And, while I’m saying that this is the final episode in the story of the Banished Lands, while it is most definitely an end, and my next project is taking me to an altogether different world, I would never say never…
Truth and Courage,
John