Solaris Books “confirms its commitment to new digital formats” by announcing that it will release “The Wizard’s Coming” as a free eBook (available as an ePUB, Kindle, or pdf file from this page). Juliet E. McKenna‘s story was first published in 2007’s The Solaris Book of New Fantasy, and now serves as a prequel for her upcoming The Hadrumal Crisis trilogy. Volume 1, Dangerous Waters, is scheduled to be released in August. In the book, “The Archmage rules the island of wizards and has banned the use of magecraft in warfare, but there are corsairs raiding the Caladhrian Coast, enslaving villagers and devastating trade. Lady Zurenne’s husband has been murdered by the corsairs, and a man she doesn’t even know stands watch over her and her daughters. Corrain, former captain and now slave to the corsairs, knows that Zurenne’s guardian is a rogue wizard. If Corrain can only escape, he’ll see justice done. Unless the Archmage’s magewoman, Jilseth, catches the renegade first…”
McKenna said “Every series of books I’ve ever written has started with the question ‘what if?’ After a decade of keeping magic out of warfare, I began wondering what if the Archmage’s authority was challenged? Initially the answer was enough to underpin this short story. Writing it then showed me just how far-reaching and how dramatic the unexpected consequences could be. I’m delighted to have this chance to share the first step on the road to The Hadrumal Crisis with both new and established readers—this free eBook is the perfect way for people to discover this world and its characters.”