The Mudlark

by Gwen DeMarco • Book 1 of Kingdom of Erishum

The Mudlark

The first book in the Kingdom of Erishum Trilogy marks Gwen DeMarco’s foray into epic fantasy, delivering her signature character-driven storytelling in a richly imagined world.

Synopsis

The Kingdom of Erishum is corrupt. Nyssa just doesn’t know it yet.

Towering border walls protect Erishum’s citizens from the Dying Wilds and its monsters. Within those walls lies a kingdom of bustling marketplaces, powerful priests, and opulent festivals — and beneath it all, the Shadow District, where Nyssa scrapes by as a mudlark on the banks of the River Assur. She’s close to leaving that life behind for the warm ovens of a baker’s apprenticeship. All she needs is a little more money.

When she unearths a mysterious object that could buy her way out, she accidentally sets foot on a path filled with unseen threats, deceit, and political intrigue. Evading the menacing Enumerii priests and the king’s shrikes, Nyssa is pulled deeper into a world of danger, betrayal, and sacrifice — and forced to confront a terrible choice: save her future or save an old friend.

What do you do when everything you’ve ever been taught is a lie?

What Makes This Book Special

- Underdog Hero:
  
  A resourceful mudlark who must outwit priests, spies, and a corrupt kingdom
- Rich World-Building:
  
  From the Shadow District to opulent festivals, the Kingdom of Erishum comes alive with history, politics, and secrets
- Political Intrigue:
  
  A layered web of deception where allies may be enemies in disguise
- An Impossible Choice:
  
  When your future and your loyalty collide, what do you sacrifice?
- Epic Scope:
  
  The first chapter in a trilogy that will sweep you away

Available In:

German Spanish

What Readers Are Saying

"Great new series! The mudlark is set in a kingdom of great wealth and great suffering. Nyssa is an older mudlark, scraping out a meager living digging in the muds of the river during lowtides. A rare discovery sets events into motion that will change her life forever. I liked the pacing, the worldbuilding was great and Nyssa is a really good character. She was smart, sympathetic, and caring towards her peers. There are quite a few twist at the end of this book and there is a cliffhanger. Is well worth the read for some great fantasy immersion."

— Jessica (goodreads)

"Thoughly engaging Loved it! Very different from her previous books. Upbeat and engaging. A very poor young woman making her living by digging relics from the river that runs through her town. She and the rest of the population have been lied to about what is beyond the huge wall that surrounds the town thinking that they are the only people in this land. She makes a dangerous discovery in the river that challenges her beliefs. The government wants to suppress her curiosity making her an outlaw. Wonderful and a cliffhanger! Can’t wait for the next book!"

— Deepbrassmom (amazon)

"Great new series! The mudlark is set in a kingdom of great wealth and great suffering. Nyssa is an older mudlark, scraping out a meager living digging in the muds of the river during lowtides. A rare discovery sets events into motion that will change her life forever. I liked the pacing, the worldbuilding was great and Nyssa is a really good character. She was smart, sympathetic, and caring towards her peers. There are quite a few twist at the end of this book and there is a cliffhanger. Is well worth the read for some great fantasy immersion."

— J Armstrong (amazon)