Announcing: The Highwayman Kennedy Thornwick!
An upcoming literary fantasy novel by Lisa Kuznak (that's me!)
With Pallas now in the wild, (Amazon.ca, Amazon.com, Kobo) and a mention of the book was made in my recent interview with
, (go read it if you haven’t!) I’d like to keep the momentum up by bringing to your attention the next book with my name on it:THE HIGHWAYMAN KENNEDY THORNWICK
A character-driven, literary fantasy. Pseudo-18th century setting. Bad choices, identity, friendship, flintlock pistols and swordfights. And magic.
Think Snatch, Barry Lyndon, and Cool Hand Luke (book version.) If this book were a movie, from cuss words alone it would be rated-R. Don’t bother asking for trigger warnings, it’s got just about all of them.
Here’s an actual text from one beta reader (cutting out the spoilery bits):
I enjoyed it from start to finish! … I wouldn't want you to change a thing … I LOVED the ending.
And another beta reader:
… I think it's a great book and is better than most of the fantasy books on the shelves at Indigo
So that of course inflated my ego just a little. Are you sufficiently hyped yet?
Soundtrack while writing includes a lot of Jethro Tull, The Pogues, Depeche Mode, Thin Lizzy, Steeleye Span, and the songs Over the Hills and Far Away by Gary Moore, The Highwayman by Phil Ochs, Dearg Doom by Horslips, Whiskey in the Jar, Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye, and lots more.
As always, feedback on the blurb is appreciated!
Blurb:
Framed for murder and horse theft, Tommy Fellham is stuck in Magelock Penitentiary, rotting like a bad pickle in too small of a crock. Capital punishment was banned, how convenient, instead of getting hanged he spends his time fantasizing about revenge and learning how to fight, steal, gamble, and drink. There isn't much else to do with himself until his best friend and teacher, the notorious highwayman Kennedy Thornwick, confides in Tommy his plans to escape.
When Tommy receives a visitor that promises fortune at the expense of a newly built bank, that settles it. He has to help Kennedy. But what Tommy doesn't account for is how much the prison has shaped him, and not only will he have to get used to magic outside the walls, but come to terms with who he has become . . . All while trying to avoid the mage hunters after the price on his head. Kennedy might have been too good of a teacher.
I’m saving my dimes to pay my proofreader/copy editor. Once that’s done, I’m aiming for a late 2023/early 2024 release, so if you haven’t subscribed yet, I suggest doing so to follow along with my updates!
It might be a bit early yet for ARCs (advance reader copy, a free book in exchange for an honest review,) but if you really can’t wait a few months, I’d be happy to send it—caveat being, there’s still edits to be made (some janky sentences here and there, I’m sure,) and you might have to hold onto your review a while. Shoot me an email: lisakuznakbooks@proton.me, or message me on Instagram @mechanical.pulp!
In the meantime, we’re half-way through Pull Me Under, and if you haven’t started that, check out the intro/table of contents:
Of course, there’s Pallas, which you can buy on Amazon and Kobo (links up top,) sample chapter here:
There’s also my short stories and poetry! My Substack is 100% free to read, so if you’ve ever thought I deserved a tip, you can show your support by getting a copy of a book, or share with folks who you think would give them a read!
Cheers! Don’t let the bastards grind you down!
This sounds fantastic!
Great teaser! Look forward to this one. About half done with Pallas and really enjoying it!