The Dark Thorn

Beneath the streets of Seattle, a long-forgotten war is about to be renewed… Richard McAllister, a spiritually destitute homeless man and Knight of the Yn Saith, protects one of seven portals linking his world to that of Annwn, where the fey Tuatha de Dannan of antiquity have been relegated by a long-running religious war. Unknown to Richard though, powerful forces are aligning against him and all he stands to keep safe. In the wilds of a discarded world, Philip Plantagenet, son of Henry II, moves to claim a birthright nine centuries in the making, one that drives him to eliminate the Tuatha de Dannan—at any cost to both worlds. In the halls of Vatican City, Cardinal Vicar Cormac Pell O’Connor schemes to control the Heliwr—the Unfettered Knight—one who possesses the great power known as the Dark Thorn. The three men are on a collision course with history—and their futures. For in the wilds of Annwn, death comes as easily as magic.

Beneath the streets of Seattle, a long-forgotten war is about to be renewed… Richard McAllister, a spiritually destitute homeless man and Knight of the Yn Saith, protects one of seven portals linking his world to that of Annwn, where the fey Tuatha de Dannan of antiquity have been relegated by a long-running religious war. Unknown to Richard though, powerful forces are aligning against him and all he stands to keep safe. In the wilds of a discarded world, Philip Plantagenet, son of Henry II, moves to claim a birthright nine centuries in the making, one that drives him to eliminate the Tuatha de Dannan—at any cost to both worlds. In the halls of Vatican City, Cardinal Vicar Cormac Pell O’Connor schemes to control the Heliwr—the Unfettered Knight—one who possesses the great power known as the Dark Thorn. The three men are on a collision course with history—and their futures. For in the wilds of Annwn, death comes as easily as magic.

PRE-ORDER ON JULY 30TH AT 11AM PT Author: Shawn SpeakmanArtists: Magali Villeneuve & Don MaitzPublisher: Grim Oak PessTrade Paperback: 496 pagesPrice: $50.00Printing: 1stInteriors: 15 B&W Don Maitz illustrationsISBN: N/ARelease Date: July 30, 2025Shipping Date: July 30, 2025Note: A signed trade paperback ARC limited to 125 copies Book Description: "The Dark Thorn is one exciting book. From start to finish, there are strong characters, dangers lurking around every corner and cliffhangers that will leave you breathless. A fine tale by a talented writer." — Terry BrooksBeneath the streets of Seattle, a long-forgotten war is about to be renewed…Richard McAllister, a spiritually destitute homeless man and Knight of the Yn Saith, protects one of seven portals linking his world to that of Annwn, where the fey Tuatha de Dannan of antiquity have been relegated by a long-running religious war.Unknown to Richard though, powerful forces are aligning against him and all he stands to keep safe. In the wilds of a discarded world, Philip Plantagenet, son of Henry II, moves to claim a birthright nine centuries in the making, one that drives him to eliminate the Tuatha de Dannan—at any cost to both worlds.In the halls of Vatican City, Cardinal Vicar Cormac Pell O’Connor schemes to control the Heliwr—the Unfettered Knight—one who possesses the great power known as the Dark Thorn.The three men are on a collision course with history—and their futures.For in the wilds of Annwn, death comes as easily as magic. Note: The trade paperback ARC for The Dark Thorn was given for free to members of Shawn Speakman's $10+ Patreon tiers.

PRE-ORDER ON JULY 30TH AT 11AM PT Author: Shawn SpeakmanArtists: Magali Villeneuve & Don MaitzPublisher: Grim Oak PessHardcover: 496 pagesPrice: $125.00Printing: 1stInteriors: 15 B&W Don Maitz illustrationsISBN: N/ARelease Date: July 30, 2025Shipping Date: July 30, 2025Note: A signed hardcover ARC limited to 125 copies Book Description: "The Dark Thorn is one exciting book. From start to finish, there are strong characters, dangers lurking around every corner and cliffhangers that will leave you breathless. A fine tale by a talented writer." — Terry BrooksBeneath the streets of Seattle, a long-forgotten war is about to be renewed…Richard McAllister, a spiritually destitute homeless man and Knight of the Yn Saith, protects one of seven portals linking his world to that of Annwn, where the fey Tuatha de Dannan of antiquity have been relegated by a long-running religious war.Unknown to Richard though, powerful forces are aligning against him and all he stands to keep safe. In the wilds of a discarded world, Philip Plantagenet, son of Henry II, moves to claim a birthright nine centuries in the making, one that drives him to eliminate the Tuatha de Dannan—at any cost to both worlds.In the halls of Vatican City, Cardinal Vicar Cormac Pell O’Connor schemes to control the Heliwr—the Unfettered Knight—one who possesses the great power known as the Dark Thorn.The three men are on a collision course with history—and their futures.For in the wilds of Annwn, death comes as easily as magic. Note: The hardcover ARC for The Dark Thorn was given for free to members of Shawn Speakman's $25+ Patreon tiers.

Beneath the streets of Seattle, a long-forgotten war is about to be renewed... Richard McAllister, a spiritually destitute homeless man and Knight of the Yn Saith, protects one of seven portals linking his world to that of Annwn, where the fey Tuatha de Dannan of antiquity have been relegated by a long-running religious war. Unknown to Richard though, powerful forces are aligning against him and all he stands to keep safe. In the wilds of a discarded world, Philip Plantagenet, son of Henry II, moves to claim a birthright nine centuries in the making, one that drives him to eliminate the Tuatha de Dannan—at any cost to both worlds. In the halls of Vatican City, Cardinal Vicar Cormac Pell O'Connor schemes to control the Heliwr—the Unfettered Knight—one who possesses the great power known as the Dark Thorn. The three men are on a collision course with history—and their futures. For in the wilds of Annwn, death comes as easily as magic. Haunted by a past he can't forget and a knightly responsibility he can't shun, Richard is drawn into levels of machinations—and two worlds—far darker than any he has prepared for.

Beneath the streets of Seattle, a long-forgotten war is about to be renewed... Richard McAllister, a spiritually destitute homeless man and Knight of the Yn Saith, protects one of seven portals linking his world to that of Annwn, where the fey Tuatha de Dannan of antiquity have been relegated by a long-running religious war. Unknown to Richard though, powerful forces are aligning against him and all he stands to keep safe. In the wilds of a discarded world, Philip Plantagenet, son of Henry II, moves to claim a birthright nine centuries in the making, one that drives him to eliminate the Tuatha de Dannan—at any cost to both worlds. In the halls of Vatican City, Cardinal Vicar Cormac Pell O'Connor schemes to control the Heliwr—the Unfettered Knight—one who possesses the great power known as the Dark Thorn. The three men are on a collision course with history—and their futures. For in the wilds of Annwn, death comes as easily as magic. Haunted by a past he can't forget and a knightly responsibility he can't shun, Richard is drawn into levels of machinations—and two worlds—far darker than any he has prepared for.