G R MATTHEWS
Netgalley Review: This was such a great read! The story follows a mix of compelling characters including a survivor trying to rebuild, a bard uncovering corruption, and an outlaw caught in growing violence, and their arcs gradually connect in satisfying ways. The atmosphere and emotional depth really stand out!
Netgalley review: Of Song and Shadow is a masterfully plotted fantasy that excels in building a sense of creeping dread and intricate political manoeuvring. G.R. Matthews has a gift for weaving multiple storylines
In a world of secrets, power comes at a price, and survival demands more than courage.
Kenric stumbles out of the forest broken, alone, and bleeding. Saved by the village herbalist, he must rebuild his life from nothing. Haunted by loss and forced to prove his worth in a place that does not trust him.
In the nearby town of Two Rivers, Gwene, a gifted bard with a dangerous past, arrives under orders from the King to uncover the truth behind the rising power of the Thieves’ Guild. But as her music reveals more than sound, and powerful enemies close in, she finds herself caught in a web of corruption that reaches far beyond the streets.
Meanwhile, Judd, a ruthless outlaw leader, is given a simple command by the head of the Thieves’ Guild: burn a village to the ground. Gathering a crew together, he seeks to fulfil his orders and, perhaps, find a way to climb higher in the hierarchy of power.
What follows is a chain of violence that will drag them all together through bloodshed, betrayal, and a battle that will decide the fate of more than just one town.
As forbidden alchemy, hidden magic, and dark ambitions collide, no one will emerge unchanged.
Because in the end, survival is only the beginning.
W = Up, S = Down, Space = Fireball, Shift = Mystic Shield
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.
What Awaits You:
Epic Grimdark Fantasy: Seven Deaths of an Empire (Solaris/Rebellion) — Roman-inspired battlefields, political intrigue, and magic colliding in a brutal fight for survival.
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.
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.
Apocalyptic Fantasy Action: Last Winter Sun (Rift Book 1) — A genre-smashing adventure where mercenaries, magic, and monsters clash in post-Rift Britain.
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.
Why Readers Love G. R. Matthews:
“Addictive, page-turning, and full of political intrigue.”
“Like fantasy novels and kung-fu movies thrown into a blender.”
“Claustrophobic, thrilling, and utterly original.”
