Rob J. Hayes

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About Rob J. Hayes

Having served in a hundred different offices as a keyboard monkey Rob J. Hayes finally decided to follow his life long passion of daydreaming. After writing a small horde's worth of short stories, he released his debut dark fantasy trilogy "The Ties that Bind" in 2013 as an indie publication and followed it up with the steampunk caper "It Takes a Thief to Catch a Sunrise" in 2014.

In 2017 he released his piratical duology, Best Laid Plans, and in 2018 the first book, Where Loyalties Lie won Mark Lawrence's Self Published Fantasy Blog Off.

Rob has now tried his hand at Science-Fiction (Drones, 2018) and Military Fantasy (City of Kings, 2018), and even East-Asian influenced fantasy (Never Die, 2019).

"One of self publishing's rising stars" - Mark Lawrence, author of Prince of Thorns

"Hayes spins a tale like a wushu master spins a kick - with deft speed, grace, and bone-crushing impact." - Dyrk Ashton, author of Paternus

“Books like this deserve to be read by all lovers of fantasy. It’s got just about everything you could ask for in the genre; and a few things you’d never think to ask.” – Filip, BookNest.eu

“Hayes writes some of the darkest and most brutal fiction around." - Fantasy Book Review

“Rob J. Hayes remains one of the best writers of grimdark fantasy around and should always be mentioned with Erikson, Lawrence, Abercrombie, and Morgan. He is a master of making compelling and memorable characters that always capture your attention.” – BookNest

Michael R. Fletcher

Joe Abercrombie

Mark Lawrence

Richard Nell

Cameron Johnston

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Author Updates

Titles By Rob J. Hayes

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Along the Razor's Edge: an Epic Fantasy (The War Eternal Book 1) Mar 30, 2020

by Rob J. Hayes

( 413 )

$2.99

An empire in flames. A prisoner of war. An unbreakable will to escape.

At just fifteen Eskara Helsene was forced to fight in the greatest war mankind has ever known. She lost.There is only one place her enemies would send a Sourcerer as wild and dangerous as her. The Pit. A prison sunk so deep into the earth the sun is a distant memory.

Betrayed by her best friend, Eska finds herself stripped of her magic, surrounded by thieves and murderers. And there are far worse things that call the deep darkness their home.In order to survive she will need to make new allies, play the inmates against each other, and survive the darkness long enough to find a way out.Her enemies will soon learn Eskara is not so easily broken.

An emotional roller coaster in this unique coming of age story. Perfect for fans of Patrick Rothfuss and Mark Lawrence, be one of the first to dive into Award-Winning Author Rob J. Hayes’ new epic fantasy world.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

The Heresy Within: The Ties that Bind book 1 (First Earth Saga) Jun 21, 2017

by Rob J. Hayes

( 371 )

$2.99

For generations the Inquisition has stood between humanity and the forces of darkness. It has failed.

Thanquil Darkheart is a witch hunter for the Inquisition, on a holy crusade to rid the world of heresy. He’s also something else... expendable. When the God Emperor gives Thanquil an impossible task, he knows he has no choice but to venture deep into the Wilds to hunt down a fallen Inquisitor.

Even the best swordswoman is one bad day away from a corpse. It’s a lesson Blademaster Jezzet Vel’urn isn’t keen to learn. Chased into the Wilds by a vengeful warlord, Jezzet makes it to the free city of Chade. But instead of sanctuary all she finds are more enemies from her past.

The Black Thorn is a cheat, a thief, a murderer and worse. He’s best known for the killing of several Inquisitors and every town in the Wilds has a WANTED poster with his name on it. Thorn knows it’s often best to lie low and let the dust settle, but some jobs pay too well to pass up.

As their fates converge, Jezzet, Thanquil, and the Black Thorn will need to forge an uneasy alliance in order to face the truth the Inquisition has been hiding from them all.

Other Formats: Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

Spirits of Vengeance: a standalone Mortal Techniques novel (The Mortal Techniques) Sep 28, 2021

by Rob J. Hayes

( 59 )

$5.99

Haruto swore his soul to the God of Death for the chance to hunt down the vengeful ghost of his wife. He’ll die as many times as it takes.

Now an onmyoji, he’s tasked by the Imperial Throne to hunt down monsters and malicious spirits. But he knows not all spirits are evil and not all deserve the peace of the sword.

The Ipian Empire was once a land that welcomed dragons and spirits alike, but a century of war and bloodshed has seen them all but vanish. Now, the lost things are returning and the Onryo have gathered. Five legendary spirits with mysterious powers, bent on freeing an ancient evil that would wreak havoc on humanity.

As a plague of spirits sweeps across the land, the Onryo leave a bloody trail for Haruto to follow. But who’s hunting who?

The Mortal Techniques novels are a series of stand-alone stories that can be read entirely independently, set in the award-winning Mortal Techniques universe. A thrilling read for fans of Will Wight and Andrew Rowe

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

Sins of the Mother (The War Eternal Book 4) May 3, 2022

by Rob J. Hayes

$5.99

In her darklight the world will burn.

Sins of the Mother is the 4th book in the bestselling The War Eternal series.

It Takes a Thief to Catch a Sunrise (It Takes a Thief... Book 1) Mar 20, 2015

by Rob J. Hayes

( 50 )

$4.99

“Chases, duels, romance, airships and a fortune to be won or lost.” – Fantasy Book Review

One last job!

Jacques Revou and Isabel de Rosier are at the height of their careers. Of course those careers are as professional charlatans, thieves without peer. With the completion of their final heist, they decide it's time to retire and settle down. But they have not escaped unnoticed.

The king's spymaster, Renard Daron, has a job for the thieves, one only they can perform, and he does not take no for an answer. With the threat of destitution and death hanging over their heads, Jaques and Isabel must take on their greatest roles yet, the Baron and Baroness Bonvillain.

Can they ferret out the treasonous elements within the government? Can they escape the clutches of the nefarious Seigneur Daron? Can they regain the fortune so unfairly taken from them?

And, can they finally complete their one last job?

From award winning author, Rob J. Hayes, comes a story of daring heists, thrilling duels, and villainous spies. It would take a heart of stone not to fall in love with these charming thieves.

What reviewers say:

“Isabel and Jacques have great chemistry that makes you genuinely want to root for the couple.” – C.T. Phipps

"There's a lot of wit and charm, sarcasm and heists." - Kitty

"If you're looking for something light-hearted and fun, this definitely is worth a close look!" - Julia

"A fun heist caper with duels and romance." - Martha

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

Never Die: a standalone Mortal Techniques novel (The Mortal Techniques) Jan 29, 2019

by Rob J. Hayes

( 356 )

$4.99

Winner of the 2019 BookNest award.

Ein is on a mission from God... The God of Death.

Time is up for the Emperor of Ten Kings and it falls to Ein, an eight-year-old boy, to render the judgement of the reaper. He can't do it alone, but luckily the world is full of travelling heroes. There's only one catch: In order to serve him, they must first die.

Never Die is a stand alone story set in the award-winning Mortal Techniques universe. It’s a wuxia adventure filled with samurai, shinigami, heroes, and vengeful spirits.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

The Lessons Never Learned (The War Eternal Book 2) Apr 28, 2020

by Rob J. Hayes

( 201 )

$5.99

I am the weapon.

Eskara is free of the Pit, but far from safe. She is beset by the ghosts of those she has killed, and plagued by the ancient horror that possesses her. Enemies dog her heels, determined to see the last Orran Sourcerer dead. Worse still, there is new player in the game, one far more dangerous than anything she has faced before.

But there is one place that might offer her both the safety she needs to survive, and the power she needs to strike back; Ro’shan, the flying home of a God.

Eska will soon learn that all power comes with a cost, and some prices are too high.

The thrilling continuation of The War Eternal trilogy raises the stakes and pits Eska against more dangerous enemies. Perfect for fans of Patrick Rothfuss and Mark Lawrence.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

Pawn's Gambit: a standalone Mortal Techniques novel (The Mortal Techniques) Jan 26, 2021

by Rob J. Hayes

( 177 )

$4.99

Yuu wants nothing more than to forget the mistakes of her past. The Gods have other plans.

Once a renowned strategist and general, five years ago Yuu made a mistake that cost her everything. Now she is on the run, royal bounty hunters snapping at her heels. But what if there was a way to get back what she lost, a way to bring back a murdered prince?
Every century, the gods hold a contest to choose who will rule from the Heavenly Jade Throne. Each god chooses a mortal champion, and the fate of all existence hangs in the balance. On a battlefield full of heroes, warriors, assassins, and thieves can Yuu survive long enough to learn the rules of the game, let alone master it?

Pawn's Gambit is a stand alone story set in the award-winning Mortal Techniques universe. It's a wuxia adventure filled with heroes, gods, spirits, and magic.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

The Century Blade: a standalone Mortal Techniques short story (The Mortal Techniques) Aug 29, 2021

by Rob J. Hayes

( 39 )

$0.99

Orochi, the king of the dragons, has ordered his brothers and sisters to destroy humanity. It falls to a young hero to assemble a team and stop the dragons' rampage. It falls to the Century Blade.

This is a short story set in the world of the award-winning Mortal Techniques. It is designed to be read as a standalone story, completely independent from the full length novels set in the same world.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

From Cold Ashes Risen (The War Eternal Book 3) May 26, 2020

by Rob J. Hayes

( 244 )

$5.99

The Corpse Queen Comes.

Eskara has lost everything. The War Eternal has cost her everything she loves, and the Iron Legion has taken the rest. Yet there is something that is still hers, something that kept her warm during her time in the Pit. Anger and a lust for vengeance. First on the list of those who must pay, the Emperor of Terrelan.

Her friends counsel peace, but her inner demons push for war, and Eska finds herself caught in the middle. Will she find a way to reap her vengeance? Or will the enemies of her past catch up to her first?

One thing is certain. The world will soon know fear when the Corpse Queen ascends her throne.

The stunning conclusion to The War Eternal trilogy sees Eska facing her most dangerous enemies yet, both within and without. Perfect for fans of Patrick Rothfuss and Mark Lawrence. Find out how Eskara's story ends in this emotional finale.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

The Colour of Vengeance: The Ties that Bind book 2 (First Earth Saga) Jun 21, 2017

by Rob J. Hayes

( 214 )

$5.99

This is the 2017 self-published re-release of The Colour of Vengeance by Rob J. Hayes.

BEATEN, BATTERED AND DAMNED NEAR BROKEN WITH A BOUNTY ON HIS HEAD SO LARGE HE’S TEMPTED TO TURN HIMSELF IN, the Black Thorn finds himself on trial for the crime of being him. Despite the impending probability of death he has but one thought on his mind; taking revenge against the Arbiter who took his eye.

In order to carry out his vengeance Thorn must first escape Sarth and recruit a new crew, each one with their own designs on revenge.

Other Formats: Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

Where Loyalties Lie: Best Laid Plans book 1 (First Earth Saga 4) May 26, 2017

by Rob J. Hayes

( 107 )

$5.99

Winner of Mark Lawrence's 3rd Self Published Fantasy Blog Off

Finalist in BookNest's 2017 Fantasy Awards

Nominated for a r/Fantasy Best of 2017 Stabby Award

'Feels exactly like a world populated by pirates should; fun and vulgar and more than a little dangerous.' - BookNest

Everyone knows Drake Morrass is only out for himself.

As the fires of a dying city burn on a distant shore, Drake sees an opportunity to unite the other pirate Captains under his flag and claim himself a crown.

If he is to succeed he will need allies and credibility. Who better than gentleman pirate, Keelin Stillwater, renowned for taking ships without bloodshed, as well as his skill with a sword.

Enemy ships sail their waters, setting the Pirate Isles ablaze. The sinister Tanner Black threatens to steal the throne before Drake has even sat in it. Now Drake must somehow convince the other pirate Captains that his best interests are also theirs.

Dive into this swashbuckling adventure today!

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

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