The novels featuring Egil and Nix, The Hammer and the Blade (June 2012), A Discourse in Steel ( June 2013), and A Conversation in Blood (January 2017) are sword and sorcery tales that feature a pair of wily, somewhat shabby, but very likeable tomb-tappers, rogues, and knaves.
Egil, a burly, brooding priest of the Momentary God, is the muscle of the duo, while Nix Fall (aka, Nix the Quick, Nix the Lucky), a thief and college of wizardry drop-out, provides the brains. In these stories I’m trying to echo the sword and sorcery tales I love, while bringing to them modern sensibilities and pacing. I hope you dig.
The Hammer and the Blade
“Kemp delivers sword and sorcery at its rollicking best, after the fashion of Fritz Leiber’s Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser.”
- Library Journal
“This rollicking tale hooked me from the get-go. Told with zest and humor, this is everything that is good and golden about classic old-school fantasy yarns. It joins my precious bedside shelf of favorite re-reads, ‘comfort food’ books I turn to again and again. Egil and Nix might not be the safest guys to go adventuring with, but they’re sure good company. I’ll be waiting for a sequel. Impatiently.” – Ed Greenwood, bestselling creator of Forgotten Realms
The Hammer and the Blade, a tale of Egil and Nix (Amazon)
A pair of down-at-heel treasure hunters and incorrigible rogues. Egil is a priest, happy to deliver moral correction with his pair of massive hammers. Nix is a sneak-thief; there’s no lock he cannot open, no serving girl he cannot charm. Between them, they always have one eye open for a chance to make money – the other eye, of course, is on the nearest exit. Nix's idea?
Kill a demon.
Steal the treasure.
Retire to a life of luxury.
Sounds easy when you put it like that.
Unfortunately for Egil and Nix, when the demon they kill has friends in high places, retirement is not an option.
Read the first fifty pages below:
The Hammer and the Blade is a gritty, rollicking yarn that captures the essence of sword & sorcery adventure. A tale of lost treasures and lusty demons that Egil and Nix are sharing right now somewhere, bellied up to a tavern bar with Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, Conan, and, of course, Kemp’s own Erevis Cale — James Lowder, bestselling author Prince of Lies and Knight of the Black Rose
Most heroes work up to killing demons. Egil and Nix start there and pick up the pace. There’s enough page-turning mayhem here to sate the most avid sword & sorcery fans, but the heart and strength of this story is a friendship that goes deep and rings true.” - Elaine Cunningham, author of The Thorn Trilogy
“Did I mention how much fun Egil and Nix are? So. Much. Damn. Fun. … I loved it. No, seriously, I really did. The Hammer and the Blade is about as sword and sorcery as it gets.”
- Alex Brown, Tor.com
“Kemp tells it with cheeky characterisation, snappy dialogue and some breathless action sequences.”
- Dean Evans, SFX Magazine
“A fast-paced sword-and-sorcery adventure, action-packed and dark, with some great interpretations of classic fantasy tropes and themes. Highly recommended if you like your sword and sorcery no-holds-barred, dark, action-packed and with an insouciant sense of humour.”
– Civilian Reader
“[Kemp's] voice is very engaging, the characters came across as very believable and I want to know more about the world they inhabit.”
- Rob H. Bedford, SFFWorld.com
“The Hammer and the Blade provides an enjoyable afternoon of reading (with more than a few twists to keep even long term readers’ predictive powers satisfied). A likeable duo, some inspired action – what more can you want from a sword and sorcery novel?”
- Jacon Topp-Mugglestone, Drying Ink
“When things heat up. Kemp gives us sequences that wouldn’t look out of place in an Indiana Jones film, with the undead and vengeful wraiths only proving to be half of the fun. There is always something happening and that’s just what a ‘Sword & Sorcery’ novel needs to be all about. Kemp really delivers the goods on that score.”
- Graeme Flory, Graeme’s Fantasy Book Review
“A fast paced ride full of disturbing detail, gluttonous gore and fantastic fun. Egil and Nix may not be your traditional heroes, but these two men, as close as brothers serve to check the excesses of the other’s personality. The ending was both fulfilling and disturbing, and I hope we get to revisit the adventures of Egil and Nix in the near future.”
- Lightsaber Rattling
“The Hammer and the Blade is swords and sorcery at its best. 5*****”
- Stefan’s Bookshelf
“The Hammer and the Blade is old school Sword and Sorcery with an appealing pair of protagonists whose feats of derring-do and likeable personalities kept me turning the pages.”
- Paul Weimer at The Functional Nerds
“Swords & Sorcery at its best for a modern audience, The Hammer and The Blade echoes the magic of the old Dragonlance novels and takes the reader on a fast-paced adventure against sorcerors and demons through some of the most dangerous locations in the world.”
- Shadowhawk, The Founding Fields
“An awesome fantasy novel shows that Kemp can work his magic in almost any setting, be it in a galaxy far far away, the Warhammer World or in his own creation. A rollercoaster ride that is not to be missed.”
- Bane of Kings, The Founding Fields
“[I wouldn't] hesitate in picking up on future novels featuring Egil and Nix … I’d gladly take part in any adventure those two set out on, and treasure every blessed moment.”
- Matthew Gill, Silver Pen Scribe
“If you like your fantasy to have stakes that are more personal than epic, and if you like heroes who are short on morals, then The Hammer and the Blade is for you. You’ll get a heavy dose of action and adventure, and a plot that will make it hard to put this book down.”
- Ryan Frye, Battle Hymns
“To all intents and purposes this is a buddy movie waiting to happen, and I’m looking forward to reading the next installment. It kept my attention and interest throughout and has obvious potential to continue and develop.”
- Rebekah Lunt, The British Fantasy Society
“fans of fantasy will find plenty to like about Nix, Egil and the cast of secondary characters that populate Kemp’s fictional world. Readers looking for a new sword and sorcery series will want to check this book out.”
- Carli Spina, Strangely Literary
“This is a sword and sorcery novel that reminds you why sword and sorcery is fun in the first place. In many ways it’s a breath of fresh air. It’s fast paced, smart, funny, and at times extremely dark.”
- Adventures Fantastic
“There are so many things to like about this book. The characters are delicious in the way that they are under described, but never underdeveloped. The writing shows a wit and polish rarely seen these days. I knew Kemp was good, but set free in a world of his creation, he exceeds, excels, and is excellent!”
- Cape Rust, Geek-Life.com
“Kemp is an excellent write of sword and sorcery that understands its tropes so well that he is able to reinvigorate it with new themes that will resonate with modern readers.”
- John Ottinger III, Grasping for the Wind
UK/RoW
5 Jul 2012
416pp B-format paperback
£7.99 UK
ISBN 9780857662446
US/CAN
26 Jun 2012
416pp mass-market paperback
$7.99 US $8.99 CAN
ISBN 9780857662453
eBook
26 Jun 2012
£4.49
ePub ISBN 9780857662460
A Discourse in Steel
A Discourse in Steel
Egil and Nix have retired, as they always said they would. No, really – they have! No more sword and hammer-play for them!
But when two recent acquaintances come calling for help, our hapless heroes find themselves up against the might of the entire Thieves Guild.
And when kidnapping the leader of the most powerful guild in the land seems like the best course of action, you know you’re in over your head…
Praise:
Adventures Fantastic: "The excitement never stops. The pacing is relentless. Yet at the heart of the book is a story about friendship and loyalty and sacrifice....a fantastic book."
The Founding Fields: “Egil and Nix are back once again kicking serious ass in this sequel”
Mikel Andrews: ”This is the fantasy you’ve been craving.. If you’ve been dying for some real originality in the fantasy realm – with a scene of revenge that would make even Kick-Ass’ Hit Girl do a double-take – then Discourse in Steel is your next stop.”
Roqoo Depot: "5/5. A sword and sorcery tale at its best."
Lightsaber Rattling: "5/5. Dark and damaged heroes have never been so much fun."
Silver Pen Scribe: “enjoyable ride of pure fun fantasy.”
Being A Big Sandwich: "It is in the characters, particularly Egil and Nix, that Kemp shines and draws the reader in…The interplay between the two is well-done, and their friendship is the bedrock of the story.”
Kobold Press: “This book has all the elements that fans of sword and sorcery should enjoy…The characters are deep and fun to get to know, the story is interesting, and the action is top shelf.”
Odd Engine: “filled with new magic and mayhem that makes it a truly enjoyable read.”
US/CAN Print
Date: 25th June 2013
ISBN: 9780857662538
Format: Mass Market Paperback
R.R.P.: US$7.99 CAN$8.99
UK Print
Date: 4th July 2013
ISBN: 9780857662521
Format: Medium Paperback
R.R.P.: £8.99
Ebook
Date: 2nd July 2013
ISBN: 9780857662545
Format: Epub & Mobi
R.R.P.: £5.49 / US$6.99
A Conversation in Blood
Egil and Nix, the hard-fighting, harder-drinking fortune hunters of The Hammer and the Blade and
A Discourse in Steel, are back to test their mettle and tempt fickle fate in A Conversation in Blood.
Fantasy fiction has long welcomed adventurous rogues: Fritz Leiber’s Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, George R. R. Martin’s Dunk and Egg, and Scott Lynch’s Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen have all made their mark. In his Egil & Nix series, New York Times bestselling author Paul S. Kemp introduces a daring new duo to the ranks of fantasy fame—or is it infamy?
Nix is a nimble thief with just enough knowledge of magic to get into serious trouble. Egil is the only priest of a discredited god. Together, they seek riches and renown, but somehow it is always misadventure and mayhem that find them—even in the dive bar they call home. And their luck has yet to change.
All Nix wants to do is cheer Egil up after a bout of heartbreak. And, of course, strike it so rich that they need never worry about their combined bar bill. But when the light-fingered scoundrel plunders a tomb and snatches mysterious golden plates covered in runes, the treasure brings terrifying trouble. Pursued by an abomination full of ravenous hunger and unquenchable wrath, Egil and Nix find all they hold dear—including their beloved tavern—in dire peril. To say nothing of the world itself.
Praise for Paul S. Kemp’s thrilling Egil & Nix novels
“Most heroes work up to killing demons. Egil and Nix start there and pick up the pace.”—Elaine Cunningham, author of The Thorn Trilogy
“Kemp delivers sword and sorcery at its rollicking best, after the fashion of Fritz Leiber’s Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser.”—Library Journal
“Egil and Nix might not be the safest guys to go adventuring with, but they’re sure good company.”—Ed Greenwood, bestselling creator of Forgotten Realms
“Did I mention how much fun Egil and Nix are? So. Much. Damn. Fun.”—Tor.com
- Series: Egil & Nix
- Hardcover: 288 pages
- Publisher: Del Rey (January 24, 2017)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 055339200X
- ISBN-13: 978-0553392005
- Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.7 x 9.2 inches
Available everywhere books are sold.
Pingback: Author Interview – Paul S. Kemp | The Bloghole
Pingback: Crossing the Streams Contest | Candlekeep Archives
Just read the first tale of Egil and Nix. Thank you. Please keep writing about these characters. Your writing style is excellent, the characters dialogue is amazing and the tale itself worthy of the masters. Seriously, you are on my shelf next to GRRM, Brooks, Howard, Moorcock, Leiber and Salvatore.
Joe,
Sincerely appreciated. The next Egil and Nix novel, A DISCOURSE IN STEEL, is forthcoming at the end of June. 🙂
Paul
I just finished Hammer and Blade and I am saddened by the fact that I have to wait until June for the next book n the series. I loved the book and read it in just two days, perhaps I should have read slower!
Delighted to hear that, Janelle. Thank you. 🙂
Paul
Just finished discourse of steel and loved it. I know godborn is your next book but I want to know when I can return to the world of Egil and Nix?
News on that by month end, I hope. Watch this space.
Pingback: Del Rey to publish two new Egil & Nix novels by Paul Kemp | Del Rey and Spectra - Science Fiction and Fantasy Books, Graphic Novels, and More
Pingback: Del Rey to publish two new Egil & Nix novels by Paul Kemp | Voodoo Buddha - Gaming News and Geek-Culture
Man I loved these books. It’s like Indiana Jones meets sword and sorcery. The wit and humor mixed with fantastic action makes for great books. This series has jumped straight to the top of my all-time favorites. Please keep ’em coming!
THank you kindly, Chris. Very pleased to hear that. There are at least two more coming. Info on that is here: http://paulskemp.net/blog/sale-of-two-more-egil-and-nix-novels-to-del-rey/
Pingback: I Got Yer Readin’ Suggestions Right Here: The Legendary Appendix N | Paul S. Kemp, Fictioneer
Pingback: If Egil and Nix met Cale and Riven then Tarantino. Obviously. | Paul S. Kemp, Fictioneer
I’ve listened to both books and love them. Intact I’ve live listened to both of them multiple times and they seem to keep getting better. I was wondering what was the next in line or is there another inline. Please keep up the exceptional work.
Jeremy,
First, thank you.
Second, yes there are at least two more in the pipeline – A CONVERSATION IN BLOOD and the (as yet untitled) fourth Tale of Egil and Nix. I’ll post more when I can, but here’s a link to the formal announcement: http://paulskemp.net/blog/sale-of-two-more-egil-and-nix-novels-to-del-rey/
Pingback: Crossing the Streams Contest 2014 - Paul S. Kemp, Fictioneer
Power read both Egil and Nix adventures. Thanks for a double dose of rollicking good tales! I’m looking forward to more. When you need a rest from writing, what do you read? Do you stick to scifi/fantasy/adventure? Do you have another genre that draws your attention? Favorite authors? Keep up the great stories and thanks for the fun!
Susan,
I don’t stick to SF/F, no. In fact, I read too little in genre. Some of the stuff I’ve read in recent years that I’ve loved the most has not been SF/F: Daniel Woodrell’s WINTER’S BONE, Price’s LUSH LIFE, THE LOVELY BONES, Don DeLilo’s FALLING MAN. I often re-read SF/F material that I consider classic and ageless: Leiber, Howard, Burroughs. Among genre writers I almost always love (or at least appreciate the excellence of) anything written by China Mieville. I very much enjoyed Jeff Vandermeer’s FINCH, too. Right now I’m reading an anthology of Clark Ashton’s Smith short fiction and enjoying it mightily.
I managed to find A Discourse in Steel by chance and enjoyed every minute of it. I loved Egil and Nix’s friendship and the plot was wonderful. Sometimes you don’t feel like the usual chosen-and-special-heroes-out-to-save-the-world-from-certain-calamity-or-some-dark-nefarious-enemy plot and just want a good old-fashioned fantastic adventure, you know? And that’s what you certainly delivered. I found myself all too easily immersing myself in Egil and Nix’s world and, amazingly enough, finished reading it in just 2 days. I can’t wait to track down The Hammer and the Blade and the news that there will be more from these two characters. Thank you so much for a wonderful book!
Thank you, Kitty! I really appreciate that. 🙂
Pingback: On Writing Tie-in Fiction – It varies! - Paul S. Kemp, Fictioneer
Just wondering if a third book of Egil and Nix is forthcoming and if so is there a publishing date available.
Thanks, Tim.
A third and fourth are coming, both from Del Rey. Will hit shelves next year.
Howdy neighbor!
Glad to read (above) that the fourth and fifth Egil and Nix books will be out soon.
Happy Holidays from Eastpointe, MI
Happy Holidays to you, too, Lance. 🙂
More, PLEASE. Absolutely enjoyed these two books but I NEED more.
More coming. Thanks, MIke.
Love Egil and Nix! Keep their adventures rolling!
I can’t wait to see what new adventures Egil and Nix will be up to in book three.
Thanks, Rob. Can’t wait to share it with everyone.
I really enjoyed the first two of the Egil and Nix books. I’ll absolutely grab the third when it drops. These remind me a lot of the old Conan from Howard in terms of scope but with more understandable characters. Howard did some Lovecraftian things and I was wondering if you’d ever considered putting out something in that direction?
Yes I would. 😉
Hey Paul, it’s been a few years since the new book was supposed to drop. Can you give us any word at all? No pressure, just hard to find great books and your books are in that category. Thanks.
Joe,
Sure can! Amazon listing is right here: http://amzn.to/2aYyDpl