You wait ages for a book featuring dragons to arrive, and then three of them turn up at once. Still, at least if you apply to be a dragon slayer, you can find the perfect book for your specific needs.

However, if you like your dragons wild, ferocious and available in four equally terrifying varieties, then do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of THE WAKING FIRE – the flame-tastic new epic fantasy from Anthony Ryan, author of the international bestseller BLOOD SONG.

For decades the lands of the Ironship Syndicate have been defended by the  Blood-blessed – men and women able to channel the powers contained in  the potent blood of wild drakes. Elite spies and assassins, their loyalty has established the Syndicate’s position as the greatest power in the known world.

Yet now a crisis looms. The drake bloodlines  are weakening, and war with the Corvantine Empire seems inevitable. The  Syndicate’s only hope of survival lies with the myth of a legendary drake, whose powerful blood might just turn the tide of the war – if it  even exists.

The task of hunting down this fabled creature falls to Claydon Torcreek, a petty thief and unregistered Blood-blessed. He’s  handled many valuable things in his time (most of them illegal) but nothing as priceless as his nation’s future.

THE WAKING FIRE has already received widespread praise . . .

‘Another fantasy classic’ – Huffington Post UK

‘A marvellous piece of imagination with plenty of twists, a refreshingly different setting and excellent world-building. A great read’  – Mark Lawrence

‘Excellent epic fantasy . . . Unputdownable’ – Bookbag

‘Memorable characters and great action’ – Django Wexler

. . . and is out now in hardback, trade format, ebook and audio!