Dave Rudden

The first in a high fantasy trilogy, inspired by Ireland's history of English oppression. With the help of their newly arisen gods, Croi is finally about to fight back against the Empire of the Answering - but are the gods on their side, after all?

A proud culture oppressed for centuries. An island over-run by bestial gods. And a girl with the power to raise the fallen . . .

For three hundred years the wild island of Croi has been subject to the Empire of the Answering. Clans have been subjugated, their language outlawed, their religion reduced to the whisper of fugitive priests.

Until Croi 's prayers are answered. The Gods return. Feral and majestic, they stride the land as colossi, throwing the Empire into chaos.

The dispossessed and the vengeful struggle for power. A ruthless priestess rallies the faithful, offering a simple choice - believe, or die - even as the empire's Queen makes the first moves in a long and dangerous game.

But for all their machinations, one woman will decide the fate of them all . . . Sister Wake, unwilling saint of the Goddess of Death.