The Ghoul King

Haley’s second postapocalyptic Dreaming Cities novella (after The Emperor’s Railroad) takes readers deeper into the ruined retro-medieval world of zombies and lost technology. The rebel knight Quinn of Atlantis has been captured and forced to fight as a gladiator in the Pit, battling zombies. Quinn is rescued by a group of insurgents whose plans are even more deadly. Their leader, Rachel, wants Quinn to help them sneak into the depths of the ruined city of Old Columbus, defying the always-watching Angels to recover illegal technology from the time called the Gone Before. Ignoring Quinn’s warnings, Rachel leads her team into the city’s dangerous lower levels, where ghouls and other monsters are worth braving for the brutal technology she seeks. Haley further illuminates the damaged world of the Dreaming Cities and the ancient forces that continue to influence human activities. Fans of dark secrets and postapocalyptic adventure will be eager for the next chapter in Quinn’s story. (July)