Today we’re absolutely thrilled to be revealing the cover of A Fool’s Hope by Mike Shackle, which is set to be published by Gollancz this October!

This is the sequel to Shackle’s action packed debut, We are the Dead, which was released last year.

Here’s the official blurb for A Fool’s Hope:

WAR TAKES EVERYTHING.

From Tinnstra, it took her family and thrust her into a conflict she wanted only to avoid. Now her queen’s sole protector, she must give all she has left to keep Zorique safe.

It has taken just as much from Jia’s revolutionaries. Dren and Jax – battered, tortured, once enemies themselves – must hold strong against their bruised invaders, the Egril.

For the Egril intend to wipe Jia from the map. They may have lost a battle, but they are coming back.

If Tinnstra and her allies hope to survive, Jia’s heroes will need to be ready when they do.

The sequel to the darkly fantastic WE ARE THE DEAD: with more unflinching action, A FOOL’S HOPE sees Jia’s revolutionaries dig in their heels as they learn that wars aren’t won in a day.

How amazing does that sound?! Well here’s what Mike had to say about the cover:

“I must admit I was nervous.

Tomas Almeida at Gollancz did an incredible job on the cover to WE ARE THE DEAD, with his depiction of the skull-faced bad guys who give our would-be heroes such a hard time. It had a real graphic punch that couldn’t be ignored.

Could Tomas match that impact with Book 2, A FOOL’S HOPE?

It was a needless fear because Tomas surpassed all my hopes. So much so, I did a happy dance when I saw it for the first time.

Wow.

Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to introduce Lord Bacas, the head of the Chosen and the right hand of Raaku, emperor of Egril and conqueror of the faithless lands. He is not the sort of man you want to invite around for a cup of tea.

Thanks to Tomas Almeida and my editor, Brendan Durkin, for bringing this monster out of the Great Darkness and into the world.”

 

Now folks, prepare to be blown away, here’s the cover;

Cover art by Tomás Almeida.

 A Fool’s Hope will be released 15th October 2020! Here’s where you can preorder:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fools-Hope-Book-Two-Last/dp/1473225248/

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-fools-hope/mike-shackle/9781473225244