Fantasy • The Souls’ Abyss trilogy
Some crowns are won. This one was never meant to be found.
Keeping the peace has cost Kaoldan dearly. Now whispers of Reng’s return threaten the land of Thura, and the past he has struggled to bury refuses to stay hidden.
As a member of the magical Order of Walkers, Kaoldan must uncover the truth behind the Dark Crown while darkness gathers around him. Yet his most personal challenge lies closer to home: reunited with his daughters after years apart, he must learn to be a father as well as a protector.
With his family and the souls entrusted to him at risk, he faces choices that no amount of training could prepare him for.
Enter a complete fantasy trilogy of dangerous magic, divided loyalties and the bonds worth fighting for.
THE BOOKS
Stories from extraordinary worlds
Discover the complete Souls’ Abyss trilogy, the standalone prequel Imagine the Fire, and Delusions & Dragons.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING
The stories, according to readers
Explore reactions to The Souls’ Abyss trilogy, the standalone stories and the anthologies — from independent fantasy bloggers to Goodreads readers and Amazon.
THE DARK CROWN
“a darker world juxtaposed by flawed but well-meaning characters”
COVEN OF SHADOWS
“the final confrontation is an epic battle that rivals any in fantasy”
Explore more book reviews
Browse the original review sites and customer-review pages for each title.
The Dark Crown
The Souls’ Abyss · Book One
Coven of Shadows
The Souls’ Abyss · Book Two
Darkness Falls
The Souls’ Abyss · Book Three
Imagine the Fire
A Souls’ Abyss prequel
Delusions & Dragons
Fantasy romantic comedy
The Law of Consequences
Fantasy anthology · Book One
The Law of Mischief
Fantasy anthology · Book Two
Review links lead to independent sites and book-platform listings. Amazon pages may show different reviews depending on edition and region.
ABOUT SC GOWLAND
Behind the books
Hello. I’m Steve Gowland, although SC Gowland looks rather better on a book cover. I write fantasy about families, flawed heroes and the terrible decisions people make for what seem, at the time, to be excellent reasons.
The world of The Souls’ Abyss spent about twenty-five years rattling around in my head before I got on with writing it. A remarkably inefficient way to produce a trilogy, I admit. It gave me Kaoldan, his daughters, the Walkers and a world where even good intentions can have spectacularly unfortunate consequences.
Since then I’ve written Imagine the Fire, had a little too much fun with the magical complications of Delusions & Dragons, and helped create the anthologies The Law of Consequences and The Law of Mischief. There are more stories waiting their turn. There always are.
THE BLOG
The blog of SC Gowland
Read updates on my writing and upcoming books, explore the ideas and fantasy worlds behind my stories, and discover book reviews, reading recommendations and occasional reflections on storytelling.
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The Original Story
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey left me thinking about why familiar stories can still catch us completely off guard. A few thoughts on the film, its emotional impact, and the unsettling novel I Who Have Never Known Men.
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The Corn Bride by Mark Stay — a review
The Corn Bride by Mark Stay left my nerves in pieces. It has the warmth and humour I love in the Witches of Woodville books, but this time the danger feels closer and the stakes more personal.