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'Hanrahan's outstanding first outing in the Lands of the Firstborn series will thrill fantasy readers' Booklist, starred reviewTHE SWORD CARES NOT WHO IT CUTS Many years ago, Sir Aelfric and his nine companions saved the world, seizing the Dark Lord's cursed weapons, along with his dread city of Necrad. That was the easy part. Now, when Aelfric - keeper of the cursed sword Spellbreaker - learns of a new and terrifying threat, he seeks the nine heroes once again. But they are wandering adventurers no longer. Yesterday's eager heroes are today's weary leaders - and some have turned to the darkness, becoming monsters themselves. If there's one thing Aelfric knows, it's slaying monsters. Even if they used to be his friends. Set in a world of dark myth and dangerous prophecy, The Sword Defiant launches an epic tale of daring warriors, living weapons and bloodthirsty vengeance.Praise for Gareth Hanrahan:'A gloriously gritty adventure through Hanrahan's astonishing imagination' Peter McLean, author of Priest of Bones'Hanrahan is now one of my favourite authors' Booknest'I will buy any novel that Gareth Hanrahan ever writes' The Fantasy Inn'Hanrahan has an astonishing imagination' Peter McLean, author of Priest of Bones'Mind-blowingly stellar in every respect . . . Fantasy readers, be wise and buy this book, because there's simply nothing like it' Novel Notions on The Gutter Prayer'A gripping tale that meshes beautifully with its fascinating, darkly inventive setting' James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost on The Gutter Prayer