The Gutter Shrike

by Gwen DeMarco • Book 2 of Kingdom of Erishum

The Gutter Shrike

The second book in the Kingdom of Erishum Trilogy. Vallen survived the Dying Wilds and the monstrous hyvas — but the secret he carries back could be far more dangerous than anything he faced on the sacrificial mound.

Synopsis

Vallen was once one of the king’s shrikes. Then he was a traitor. Then a sacrifice. Now he’s something Erishum doesn’t have a word for — a dead man walking back through the gates with the truth.

The Gutter Shrike is what they call a shrike stripped of rank and honor, dragged through the mud and left for dead. King Jorek and Grand Enumerox Berossus meant it as a death sentence. But sometimes the ones you throw away are the ones who see your kingdom most clearly — from the bottom up, where all the rot is visible.

With Nyssa at his side and the horrors of the Dying Wilds behind them, Vallen must now face a threat no blade or map can navigate: the political machinery of an irreconcilably corrupt kingdom determined to bury its secrets — and anyone who carries them.

What Makes This Book Special

- From the Wilds to the Walls:
  
  The fight shifts from surviving monsters to surviving a kingdom that wants Vallen silenced
- The Secret Unravels:
  
  The revelation from the sacrificial mound begins to fracture Erishum’s foundations
- Power and Corruption:
  
  King Jorek and Berossus will do anything to maintain their grip — and their secret
- Vallen and Nyssa Tested:
  
  The bond forged in the Dying Wilds faces new pressures when trust itself becomes a weapon
- A Shrike Reborn:
  
  Watch a condemned man become the one thing a corrupt kingdom fears most — someone with nothing left to lose

Available In:

German Spanish

What Readers Are Saying

"Couldn't put it down First, The Mudlark and then The Gutter Shrike. The Mudlark is short, more of a novella, but beautifully crafted. The length is perfect to set up the decay of the kingdom of Erishum and the lives of the characters. From start to finish I was on the edge of my seat, not able to put the book down. Ms DeMarco took the story to places I couldn't foretell. The story continues in The Gutter Shrike, riveting and full of possibilities and danger. A journey for two souls in every sense of the word. Highly recommend this series!"

— Judith Parsley (amazon)

"I enjoyed the second book of the "Kingdom of Erishum Trilogy" as much as the first one. This book related the tale of Vallen's and Nyssa's travels through the "Dying Wilds". Once the audiobook started, I was so captivated by the story that I listened until the end without stopping. I enjoyed the character growths of Vallen and Nyssa. There were some surprising revelations. I'm looking forward to the next book in the trilogy. Janine Granda's narration was skillful, and her performance was entertaining. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review."

— Laura (goodreads)

"So good! This second installment of Gwen’s series picks up where Book 1, The Mudlark leaves off. Nyssa risked her life to help bring Vallen the tools to save himself and safely get through the dying wilds, only for him to refuse to leave the love of his life Nyssa. Together they venture to safety and to find a life together only to realize they can’t truly be happy without uncovering more secrets from their homeland. Gwen uses book 2 to weave a tale that draws you in and leaves you with a false sense of security. I loved this book and cannot wait for the final book in this Trilogy The Dying Wilds!"

— JMKF2022 (amazon)