La maison d'édition anglaise vient d'acquérir The Incorruptibles, premier roman d'une série écrite par John Hornor Jacobs.
Il s'agit de la première incursion en fantasy de l'auteur, dont les précédents travaux en jeunesse et horreur, publiés chez Simon & Schuster, lui avaient valu une nomination au Bram Stoker Award. Marcus Gipps, éditeur chez Gollancz, se dit bien sûr très excité de publier cette histoire très nerveuse, incroyablement lisible qui rompt avec de nombreux codes, assume de nombreuses influences et se dresse fièrement à côté du meilleur de la fantasy. La sortie de The Incorruptibles est prévue pour le printemps 2014. Vous en trouverez ci-dessous le synopsis anglais.

In the contested and unexplored territories at the edge of the Empire, a boat is making its laborious way upstream. Riding along the banks are the mercenaries hired to protect it – from raiders, bandits and, most of all, the stretchers, elf-like natives who kill any intruders into their territory. The mercenaries know this is dangerous, deadly work. But it is what they do.

In the boat the drunk governor of the territories and his sons and daughters make merry. They believe that their status makes them untouchable. They are wrong. And with them is a mysterious, beautiful young woman, who is the key to peace between warring nations and survival for the Empire. When a callow mercenary saves the life of the Governor on an ill-fated hunting party, the two groups are thrown together.

For Fisk and Shoe – two tough, honourable mercenaries surrounded by corruption, who know they can always and only rely on each other – their young companion appears to be playing with fire. The nobles have the power, and crossing them is always risky. And although love is a wonderful thing, sometimes the best decision is to walk away. Because no matter how untouchable or deadly you may be, the stretchers have other plans.”

Source