A wizard, a centaur, a wolf-man, a succubus and a humanoid badger walk into a tavern. 

In a world in which humans became extinct thousands of years ago, this is not in itself an unusual occurrence…

What follows, however, raises a few eyebrows among the genetically engineered hybrids and mutants who frequent the establishment. Are these strangers openly discussing outright rebellion against the brutal tyrant who rules the planet?

Thus begins Bill McCormick’s The Brittle Riders, an epic saga set on an Earth long untainted by the presence of people. This post-apocalyptic world is populated only by the descendants of beings created to be the slaves of humanity, a diverse array of creatures resembling the fantastical beasts of classical mythology. 

From this dazzling landscape a band of unlikely heroes emerge, led by Geldish the wizard - a mysterious traveller with arcane magnetic and telepathic abilities. With the wheels of revolution now set in motion, the grand drama unfolds as armies of exotic chimeras ready for battle. The reader is likewise carried along and soon lost within a richly textured tale of bizarre adventures.

This book plays out like a familiar fantasy novel - larger than life, sword-wielding warriors and fascinating monsters -  but with an intriguing sci-fi twist. The characters are captivating and relatable, despite not one of them being human. N’leah the succubus has huge, leathery bat-like wings but also a mischievous sense of humour. BraaB the centaur-like Llamia has the armour plating of an armadillo and an enigmatic, taciturn nature. Badger-like Sland is small and unprepossessing but just as brave and formidable in his own way as some of the more hulking specimens on display.

The worldbuilding here is satisfyingly deep; the many races of ‘Arreti’ having their own distinct cultures and traditions. As the story progresses, we venture further into a finely detailed realm of imagination.

The Brittle Riders: Book One (Second Edition) was Voted Best Sci-Fi Novel of 2022 at Critters.org and scored a 92.7% film adaptability rating by the reviewers at Bookscribs.

Download part one of the trilogy now from BillMcScifi.com and join the quest.