The Copper Promise

The Copper Promise follows Lord Frith, a nobleman seeking revenge for his murdered family, who hires two mercenaries - Sebastian and Wydrin - to aid in his quest. Their expedition leads them to an ancient citadel where they accidentally unleash forces beyond their control. The story takes place in a fantasy world where gods, magic, and dragons exist alongside sword-wielding warriors and dangerous creatures. The mercenary duo and Lord Frith must work together to contain the devastation they've inadvertently caused while navigating political intrigue and personal vendettas. The book originally appeared as four connected novellas before being combined into a single volume. The narrative maintains a fast pace while building the central relationships between the three main characters, who each carry their own secrets and motivations. This dark fantasy tale explores themes of redemption, consequences of actions, and the complex nature of justice versus revenge. The story challenges traditional fantasy tropes while remaining firmly rooted in the genre's core elements.

Readers describe The Copper Promise as a fast-paced adventure with classic fantasy elements. Many compare it to Dungeons & Dragons campaigns and sword-and-sorcery stories. Readers appreciated: - Strong character development, especially the protagonist Wydrin - Dark humor and witty dialogue - Action scenes and pacing - LGBTQ+ representation - Fresh take on familiar fantasy tropes Common criticisms: - Episodic structure feels disjointed - Uneven pacing in middle sections - Some predictable plot elements - Writing style shifts between sections Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4/5 (180+ ratings) Amazon US: 3.8/5 (90+ ratings) Reader quotes: "Like playing D&D with friends" - Goodreads reviewer "Fun but lacks cohesion between story arcs" - Amazon reviewer "Character banter makes the book" - Fantasy Faction forum member "Too many familiar fantasy elements without enough innovation" - LibraryThing review

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⚔️ The book was first published as four separate digital novellas before being combined into a single novel, marking an innovative approach to fantasy publishing. 🐲 The dragon god concept in the story draws inspiration from various mythological traditions, where dragons are often depicted as ancient deities rather than mere beasts. 🏰 Jen Williams wrote much of the novel while working as a tour guide in historic London buildings, which influenced the atmospheric descriptions of castles and ruins in the book. ⚡ The character of Wydrin, nicknamed "The Copper Cat," was partially inspired by classic rogues from tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. 📚 The Copper Promise is the first book in the completed Copper Cat trilogy, followed by The Iron Ghost and The Silver Tide, each featuring metals in their titles as a connecting theme.