Legends of the Longsword: A Legends of Ansu fantasy

The Legends of Ansu #2

by J.W. Webb, Roger Garland (Illustrations)

The wolf is back! Big sword, bad attitude. He's left the regiment but Corin's problems have only just begun. Now someone's out to get his boss. Corin returns from an aborted mission in Permio to discover a female assassin has taken Silon's daughter and means to sell her into slavery. Corin is charged with getting Nalissa back before they lose track of her captor. What follows is a hectic chase over land and sea, as Corin fights to keep his job and the skin on his back. Meanwhile, new enemies, treacherous allies, and a lethal shapeshifter all conspire to work against him.Legends of the Longsword is the second book in a new trilogy featuring Corin an Fol, and the latest novel in the epic fantasy series, Legends of Ansu. If you like gritty action, tough characters, dark humour, swordplay and passion, you're going to love this new adventure starring Corin an Fol. Pick up Legends of the Longsword to discover this exciting series today.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook

219 pages, Paperback

Published December 17, 2018

About the author

Lost In The Woods
I was born near Doncaster England in the early sixties but later moved south to Sussex, where I lived for many years. One of my (several schools) was at Battle, a small town named after that historic conflict in 1066. You know the one, it culminated with poor Harold getting that arrow in his eye and those rude Normans invading our green and pleasant land. Growing up so close to that scene of ancient carnage awarded me a fascination for all things Dark Age. I'd fallen victim to a weird and random imagination, resulting in a love of epic stories and epic story telling. This affliction prompted me to delve deep into the worlds of Tolkien, Peake, Eddison and Moorcock. Also about this time I commenced drawing imaginary maps and inventing stories about wonderfully nasty folk, doing wonderfully nasty things, whilst pent up in gloomy unpleasant places.

Then at 18 years daft, I found myself thrust deep into the Queen's Household Cavalry. How I arrived there I cannot quite recall. The result was a sharp dose of reality. But not a cure – the affliction ran deep. I left the regiment, and for a time wandered hazy through life hitting nails with hammers, sailing brigantines through southern waters, drinking venomous concoctions with venomous companions, and yes, reading lots more ghastly fantasy books. At 27 years I became to a degree sensible. I married my beloved Rae, a watercolour artist and passionate Celt, and got a sensible career hauling trucks around the British countryside. The trouble with hauling trucks around the British countryside is that it lets the mind ramble willy nilly, when not being tortured by local radio. The result of that rambling was more stories flittering around inside this errant trucker's dizzy head.

Then, during one dark winter night back in 1993, whilst parked forlorn outside a dreary inn, something profound happened. I stumbled into Corin an Fol: a moody, rather difficult individual, mooching about in a deep tangled wood (my imagination). That wood grew into a world (not as hard as it sounds when you write fantasy stuff). The world became Ansu, home to all manner of mismatched mortals and grumpy gods. Late 2001 a plot appeared through the murky trees. It found Corin lost and wandering and introduced him to some other unruly types, resulting in The Shattered Crown. This epic debut was scrawled out with biro ink on paper and still lurks somewhere close. I'm too scared to read it. But The Shattered Crown couldn't contain its characters. These were (and still are) a very rough lot. They demanded a sequel. Instead (just to show who the boss was,) I focussed on a prequel, Fall of Gol being the result. But still the characters would not leave me alone. And so started The Legends of Ansu a forthcoming series of otherworldly tales, mostly involving Corin and his friends.

In late 2012 Rae lost her battle with cancer. I had always promised her a Cornish ghost story based on one of her evocative paintings. And so was born a novella called The Haven. A spooky yarn blending mystery and suspense with past and present. I hope that she likes it. We both loved Cornwall where we lived for many years. During our time there I met with Roger Garland the Tolkien Illustrator, who kindly consented to creating some fabulous images and illustrations for my work. And also designing this superb website! During 2013 I left the world of big wheels behind and focussed instead on writing full time. I moved to Georgia, married my gorgeous former shipmate Joanne, who I've known for 30 years. Since then I have rewritten Fall of Gol shortening it's title to Gol and finally (with substantial assistance from my erudite and excellent editor, Catherine Romano) re-shaped The Shattered Crown into a rivetingly nasty read. Now after twenty-one years in the woods, I am more than ready to unleash these first two offerings in the Ansu series along with The Haven. The third legend: The Lost Prince will be available later

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers a little bit of everyone. Corin* is on his next task and does what a sword needs to do. The timeline is still off for me according to what the 1st book tried to state, so I am not sure what's going on there. A relatively decent read. Already headed into the next one.

[Barefoot Gypsy Jimerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like a lite read this is for you!!!

Just seem to be a little bit off. Like the story it's moving me forward too see what's what. Maybe if I got drunk like the main character I might see what's what.

[Christina Morley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't get enough of Corin an Fol after listening to Gray Wolf (Book 1)! Legends of the Longsword (Book 2) introduces new characters, some you'll come to love and others hate, and some you'll still be deciding over as the book ends. Corin's new mission is to save his boss' daughter before she is sold into the worst kind of slavery. There is rich worldbuilding of the desert cities and slave traders. It's gritty, yet there's some humor too. There were moments that I felt the plot dragged. I love listening to Andrew McDermott narrate these stories. He does the voices well. I am looking forward to listening to more of J.W. Webb's books!

I received an audiobook from the author. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corin an Fol is back with his longsword slung across his back and his bad nonchalant attitude which menages to piss people off from the word go. Someone is after Silon, and he is Corin's boss, in fact they have kidnapped Silon's only daughter Nalissa, who happens to be the apple of his eye, so Corin is charged with getting her back, safe and sound and the adventure begins. We travel with Corin rapidly over land and sea, and we encounter allies who betray him, well they are the sort who would sell their mother for coin, new enemies, as these seem to crop up whenever Corin is in town and to top it all he is accosted by a shapeshifter this time around, just to keep the story more spiced up than usual! With Corin as our main protagonist gritty action is never lacking and he keeps us further entertained by his caustic sense of wry humour, lots of brilliant swordplay, dingy back streets and filthy taverns where a brawl or two a night cannot fail to happen especially when you know who hits the town. Corin an Fol is one of my favourite scoundrel characters of all time, I find all his adventures very exciting and hope you will too, so enjoy this second book in the mercenary series! and bring on book 3 JW Webb please.

[Roger]

Legends of the Longsword: A Legends of Ansu fantasy (Mercenary Book 2), my second read from author J.W. Webb an author I’d wanted to read since I got Gol: A Legends of Ansu Fantasy #1: Dawn of Legends, back in January of 2017. I got the Kindle edition of this book in January of this year & I was given an Audible copy of this book this month & am voluntarily reviewing. Since I own both the Audible & Kindle editions I was able to follow along while being read to. Andrew McDermott’s narration added to the book's enjoyment. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Al Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Gray Wolf, the first in Corin's trilogy. The story was great, the characters were great and the narrator was great. I liked this one less well, although I still enjoyed it. Andrew McDermott is still on hand to give life to the characters, while Corin is as gnarly and fun as ever. This time around, set after the trilogy, Corin goes up against some slavers, and discovers a new supernatural menace. At times I found I was less interested in the other newer characters, but overall it was an enjoyable stage and would happily recommend it to others.

[Bobbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second audiobook in the collection that I listened too. I’m fully used to the narrator now, so his pauses were less distracting. I feel the plot was more directed and cohesive in this book than the first one. I think the fact there was one primary foe acted like a thread, and she was a compelling, well-developed character. I didn’t quite like the end, but overall, I’m glad I didn’t give up with the first book.

[Sean Helms · Rating 4 out of 5]

The further adventures of Corin

A worthy continuation of Corin's exploits now in the employ of a certain wealthy merchant with a gorgeous daughter. His latest nemesis turns out to be a shape-changing assassin from a race thought to be eradicated. Corin can't seem to avoid trouble or making new enemies.

[Louise purfield-coak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swashbuckling Adventures

Excellent Book! I read it in just two sittings. I really like this author. I plan to get right to reading the third book in this adventure saga. I highly recommend the book. I gave it 5 stars for the pleasant distraction I need as a mental health break from the news! Thanks for the good job!

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting better

Second book was a bit more polished than the first in the series. Still relatively short, with fast pace action, but not so fast that it become difficult to follow.
I wonder what book 3 has to offer.

[Rose Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Another great book that was very hard to put down. The characters and their stories are very addictive. Which keeps you on the edge just waiting for something to happen. Bookfour

[Maurice Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful,character-driven epic served up by a master story teller!

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a short one but is packed with information, mostly you see Corin develop. The writing is so well done I can picture the places no people in my mind. I feel that I am there.

[MarieStrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Legends of the Longsword:Corin an Fol

This book was exciting and bloody. But I enjoyed it very much. It kept me engaged. I would definitely recommend it.

[John Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

No

I think the book was good , but not as good as the. First one ; I have a feeling the book was written in a rush