Shadow Prowler by Alexey Pehov

And the synopsis from risingshadow.net:

After centuries of calm, the Nameless One is stirring.

An army is gathering; thousands of giants, ogres, and other creatures joining forces from all across the Desolate Lands. In the Crayfish Dukedom they are forging weapons night and day. By the next spring, or perhaps sooner, the Nameless One and his forces will be at the walls of the great city of Avendoom. Unless Harold, master thief, can find some way to stop them.

Harold will be accompanied on his quest by an Elfin princess, Miralissa; ten of the Wild Hearts, the most experienced and dangerous fighters in their world; and the king’s court jester. These companions will form a bond of friendship and honor that must carry them over a series of frightful obstacles before they can reach their goal: Hrad Spein, the mysterious Palaces of the Bones. Only there will they find the key to undoing the ancient curse that hangs over their world and ridding the land of the Nameless One forever.

Reminiscent of Michael Moorcock’s Elric series, Shadow Prowler is the first work by the bestselling new generation fantasy author Alexey Pehov to be translated into English.

The work was translated from Russian by Andrew Bromfield, best known as the translator of the highly successful Night Watch series.

Sounds traditional, if that’s your thing. I’m always curious about novels that are deemed good enough (and successful enough) to warrant translation and overseas release. I also appreciate a foreign look at the genre, in the hopes that a new light can be shone on old tropes. In any case, I’ll be keeping my eye on this one over the coming months. It is set to be released by Tor Books on February 16, 2010.

Discussion
  • Jeff C October 20, 2009 at 10:06 am

    I bet its no surprise that I’ll be interested in this one :)

  • edifanob October 21, 2009 at 8:54 am

    Even it sounds traditional I’m interested in. Paperback will be released by Simon + Schuster UK in April 2010.

  • Vask October 25, 2009 at 8:51 am

    I read this book in Russian.
    In places it very cheerful. Places the serious. Places the real. It enters into mine top-20 fantasy. But most of all I love third from this cycle

  • […] few weeks ago I offered up the cover art and a synopsis for Shadow Prowler, the first translated work from Russian author Alexey Pehov, and the first […]