12 new SFF books to put on your summer reading list this July

Priest of Lies – Peter McLean

This sequel to Priest of Bones continues author Peter McLean’s War for the Rose Throne saga. Which is probably 180 degrees away from what you immediately assume based on the title – this is a gritty, dark series that’s more in the vein of Netflix series Peaky Blinders than a traditional fantasy saga.

Priest of Lies will continue the story of Tomas Piety, a former underworld crime boss turned war priest who returns home from battle to retake his business and rebuild his city. His gang, the Pious Men, are all less than ideal heroes, but they’re nevertheless extremely interesting characters who brandish swords and sport chainmail even as they shake down local businesses for protection money and engage in turf wars with rival gangs that have names like “The Gutcutters.”

This story is really original, is what I’m saying. And as it continues here, Tomas finds himself drawn into the more refined worlds of politics and power – and no longer just a street-level mercenary. Will he be able to survive that life?

"When Tomas Piety returned from the war, he just wanted to rebuild his empire of crime with his gang of Pious Men. But his past as a spy for the Queen’s Men drew him back in and brought him more power than he ever imagined. Now, with half of his city in ashes and the Queen’s Men at his back, the webs of political intrigue stretch out from the capital to pull Tomas in. Dannsburg is calling. In Dannsburg the nobility fight with words, not blades, but the results are every bit as bloody. In this pit of beasts, Tomas must decide once and for all whether he is truly the people’s champion…or just a priest of lies."

Priest of Lies is available on July 2.