Hag of the Hills
J.T.T. Ryder
286 Pages
The National Library of Norway
February 25, 2022
“Nothing is unconquerable; even our gods can die.”
Brennus is destined from birth to become a warrior, despite his farmer’s life. But when the Hillmen kill his family and annihilate his clan, he now has the opportunity to avenge those who he loved.
Brennus must survive endless hordes of invading Hillmen and magic-wielding sidhe, aided by only a band of shifty mercenaries, and an ancient bronze sword.
Failure means his family and clan go unavenged. Victory will bring glory to Brennus and his ancestors.
Hag of the Hills is a heroic fantasy novel set in 200 B.C. on the Isle of Skye, steeped in Celtic mythology and culture.
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Author Bio:
Joseph Thomas Thor Ryder is an archaeologist and author of the heroic fantasy novel HAG OF THE HILLS, book 1 of THE BRONZE SWORD CYCLES duology. He is a published author of Viking archaeology, and a doctoral candidate specializing in the Viking Age and Celtic Iron Age. He resides in Norway where he conducts archaeological research and writes heroic fantasy set in historical periods.
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Author Q&A
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I first realized I wanted to be a writer when I was 7 or 8, when I started writing fanfiction for video games. My dad read them and told me I should instead write something original. I don’t really remember what I wrote then, but hey, it was a start!
Where did you get your inspiration for Hag of the Hills?
The inspiration for Hag of the Hills has two components. Firstly, once while meandering around a bus terminal, I looked up at a bus and imagined a boy looking up at a giant. That would ultimately become some of the chapter where Brennus is staring up at a giant. Secondly, when I first visited the island of Skye, I sat outside and while looking around the landscape, I fixed my eyes on a red mountain called Beinn Na’ Callieach (the mountain of the winter goddess) and began writing about the hag on the hills and her mountain, which ultimately ended up as some of the landscape descriptions in chapter 1 of the book. Overall, the landscape of Skye influenced me the most. I imagine the landscape, and the characters and plot just all fall into place.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
When not writing, I like to hike around the mountains here in Norway, participate in historical Viking reenactments including combat where I stab people with blunt steel weaponry, and recreating historical artefacts.
Your duology is complete, what’s next for you?
A sequel novel to the duology is next. Not quite a trilogy, but close to it! I also have a second series I have begun, called “The Viking Gael”, which is pure historical fiction set in the Viking Age. I know, there is a lot of Viking historical fiction – but I am an expert on the Viking Age, so I promise it will be different!
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