Guns of the Dawn

By: Adrian Tchaikovsky

Narrated by: Emma Newman

The first casualty of war is truth . . .

Guns of the Dawn is a gripping story of war, set in a fantastical, alternate-historical Europe – with a touch of sorcery. From Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author, Adrian Tchaikovsky.

‘One of the best books I've ever read’ – Peter Newman, author of The Vagrant

First, Denland’s revolutionaries assassinated their king, launching a wave of bloodshed after generations of peace. Next they clashed with Lascanne, their royalist neighbour, pitching war-machines against warlocks in a fiercely fought conflict.

Genteel Emily Marshwic watched as the hostilities stole her family’s young men. But then came the call for yet more Lascanne soldiers in a ravaged kingdom with none left to give. Emily must join the ranks of conscripted women and march toward the front lines.

With barely enough training to hold a musket, Emily braves the savage reality of warfare. But she begins to doubt her country's cause, and those doubts become critical. For her choices will determine her own future and that of two nations locked in battle.

‘An engrossing story, beautifully told’ – SFX

‘Moving, gripping and wonderfully paced’ – The Bookbag

©2017 Adrian Tchaikovsky (P)2017 Macmillan Digital Audio

Critic reviews

I loved it. One of the best books I've ever read. Imagine Sharpe with a female lead and warlocks – need I say more? (Peter Newman, author of The Vagrant)

I loved that book so much I read it in two sittings (and it's not short!). It has elements of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe novels, mixed with Jane Austenesque characters, against the backdrop of war, with a side order of fireball-wielding sorcerers. The lead character is simply wonderful (Emma Newman, author of Planetfall)

Good story, not quite as good performance

The narrator has few different voices/dialects to choose from making it some times difficult to recognise who is talking.

excellent story wonderfully narrated

excellent story and a narrator who knows and loves that story made this an aural pleasure and a fine fantasy offering

revolutionary war, but with warlocks!

fun take on the revolutionary war, but told from the perspective of (pinky in the air) "a proper lady".

has a bit of a pride and prejudice feel, but with musket regiments and swamps

Couldn't "put it down"!

So normally I save my audiobooks for when I'm at work so that I don't plow through them too quickly and so that I'm less bored while I'm sewing. I found that to be a near impossibility with this novel. I was absolutely riveted. After work I listened any chance I had a few minutes to myself at home. The plot is intricate without being complicated; the characters - all of them - are complex and multi-dimensional. He took a traditional storyline, one that has been covered countless times through the ages, and effectively turned it completely on its head, without being showy or blatant about it. I loved it. I'm pretty sure I've stumbled over an author who's work I will actively seek out for as long as he writes.

Amazing standalone

I feel like it is an amazing skill to build such a rich world in one novel. This story was self contained and while I'd love to learn more of the world, I am satisfied with the ending. I also enjoyed how the main character wasn't a "chosen one", "perfect", or super powered. A believable and flawed character, but one for whom you cheer for.

Loved Apt Series way more

Characters not as engaging or outcome as satisfying as I found in the first four books of the Apt series. Great plots and sub plots though. Nice exploration of morals and loyalty dilemmas as experienced by soldiers and societies at war. Those who thrive on the day to day unhappy, horrific, scarring , poignant lives lived in wartime will really really like this book

worth it

a good story well told. took a while to get going, but worth the wait.

The biggest flaw was that there isn't more

The book is fantastic, but absolutely would have been more enjoyable if I had the opportunity to stay in the world longer.

Adrian Tchaikovsky strikes again.

I like a good standalone fantasy novel as much as the next fellow. Especially in this time of unfinished trilogies(Rothfuss anyone?) & series' in general(hello G.R.R.M.). That being said, I wish this standalone novel would have had about 3 more chapters. The end seems a little abrupt, but overall this is an excellent story and a marvelous performance from Emma Newman.

Spectacular!

Tchaikovsky impresses yet again! Wonderfully vast world and an equally complex story line that invokes critical thought. Every character is brilliantly designed and the voice actress performed amazingly!