G R MATTHEWS
Looking for a new read from a new author?
From grimdark empires on the edge of collapse to mercenaries battling monsters in a shattered Britain, G. R. Matthews crafts stories that blend grit, heart, and high stakes. Whether you crave epic fantasy, dystopian survival, or noir-tinged sci-fi thrillers, his books deliver unforgettable characters and worlds that burn into your imagination.
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What Awaits You:
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Epic Grimdark Fantasy: Seven Deaths of an Empire (Solaris/Rebellion) — Roman-inspired battlefields, political intrigue, and magic colliding in a brutal fight for survival.
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Martial Arts & Eastern-Inspired Fantasy: The Forbidden List Trilogy — The Stone Road, The Blue Mountain, The Red Plains — a sweeping tale of spies, spirit magic, and loyalty tested in war.
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Underwater Noir Sci-Fi: The Corin Hayes Omnibus — Follow a down-on-his-luck ex-naval diver through neon-lit cities beneath the ocean waves, where stubbornness and sarcasm are his only weapons.
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Apocalyptic Fantasy Action: Last Winter Sun (Rift Book 1) — A genre-smashing adventure where mercenaries, magic, and monsters clash in post-Rift Britain.
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Short Fiction & More: Tales of outlaws, spies, soldiers, and dreamers—each story carrying Matthews’ signature blend of sharp tension, emotional punch, and immersive world-building.
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Why Readers Love G. R. Matthews:
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“Addictive, page-turning, and full of political intrigue.”
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“Like fantasy novels and kung-fu movies thrown into a blender.”
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“Claustrophobic, thrilling, and utterly original.”
Your next read:
Seven Deaths of an Empire
The Emperor is dead. Long live the Empire.
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With cunning power plays, visceral battle scenes, and magic that snaps and burns, Seven Deaths of an Empire is “addictive,” “page-turning,” and “full of magic and political intrigue” (Rebellion Publishing, Simon & Schuster UK). Readers are swept into a story where every death—and every betrayal—reshapes the destiny of the Empire (World of Books, Reddit).
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General Bordan, battle-scarred and devoted, carries the mantle of duty as he struggles to maintain order in a collapsing empire. His task: safeguard the heir to the throne—and the soul of the Emperor, preserved by a sacred amulet—while enemies lurk in every shadow.
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Kyron, a young apprentice magician, finds himself caught in the center of this perilous journey. Trusted by few, feared by many, he must use his fledgling powers to escort the Emperor's body home—through treacherous forests and courts teeming with assassins, thieves, and schemers. For in this brutal realm, whoever controls the Emperor’s body, controls the Empire (Rebellion Publishing, Black Gate).​
Corin Hayes
Series
Beneath the waves, redemption waits—and death is only the beginning.
High-octane plots with emotional weight. Each mission unspools a web of mystery, danger, and moral compromise—perfect for fans of noir, action, and speculative suspense. fantasybooknerd.com
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When humanity retreats beneath the waves, survival isn’t guaranteed—it’s earned in rusted submarines, pressurized diving suits, and neon-lit underwater cities. Introducing the Corin Hayes series, a heart-poundingly gritty sci-fi thriller trilogy.
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Silent City (2015) — Meet Corin Hayes: ex-naval pilot, guilt-ridden, haunted, yet still the only man for the job. He’s hired to investigate a blackout in an off-grid underwater city—but when destruction strikes, only he survives. And not by accident.
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Nothing Is Ever Simple (2016) — There’s no peace for Corin. Kidnapped by criminal gangs and coerced into sabotage, his mission quickly spirals into betrayal, secrets, and life-or-death stakes.
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Three Times The Trouble (2017) — A deep dive gone wrong lands Corin in prison. But when lives hang in the balance, he’ll risk everything to protect the innocent—and ignite a gang war.
Back In Blue (2019) — The latest entry in the series continues Corin’s harrowing journey through the underwater frontier.
The Forbidden List Series
Two men, one empire, countless secrets—peace is just the beginning.
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The Forbidden List Trilogy by G. R. Matthews blends epic fantasy with the intensity of martial arts, crafting a world as authentic as it is breath-taking. Described as “fantasy novels & Kung Fu movies… thrown together into a blender and left us with something wonderful,” this series stands out for its originality and imagination.
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The Stone Road (2013): In a realm scarred by 30 years of war, diplomat Zhou seeks peace—but facing betrayal, he’s far from safe. Meanwhile, Haung, a soldier, is recruited into the elite Jiin-Wei—spies and magicians sworn to protect the Empire. Loyalties fray as deception becomes the greatest weapon. GoodreadsFantastic Fiction
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The Blue Mountain (2015): The fire of conflict may have dimmed, but for Zhou and Haung, the real trials are just beginning. Elevated as Jiin-Wei, their fates are reshaped by duty, struggle, and an approaching threat from both physical and metaphysical realms. Goodreads
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The Red Plains (2016): With war crashing upon the gates of the Empire, the line between spirit and reality dissolves. Zhou and Haung must confront their destinies amid allies lost, enemies unveiled, and the Spirit Realm’s ancient wars stirred awake. Goodreads
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Plus, Outlaw Mountain (2017), a riveting short tale where a dragon’s legend tests the mettle of new heroes south of the Empire—expanding the world and deepening the mythos. Fantastic Fiction
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