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The Broken World
The Broken World
Jan 18, 2026 1:54 AM

Author:J.D. Oswald

The Broken World

The Broken World is the fourth instalment in the epic fantasy series by J. D. Oswald, The Ballad of Sir Benfro, preceded by Dreamwalker, The Rose Cordand The Golden Cage.

***

The book, sir. The Llyfr Draconius.

You'll find what you need in there, if you know how to look.

The war across the Twin Kingdoms rages on.

Queen Beulah has killed one sister and ordered the assassination of another. The Inquisitor Melyn journeys though the north-lands of Llanwennog in a merciless bid to overthrow King Ballah. Now in possession of Brynceri's ring, his power seems indestructible. Nothing can stop the invasion.

Captured by the travelling circus, Sir Benfro cannot shake their control, more powerful than Magog's malign influence. Errol Ramsbottom, left for dead, follows the trail of his friend's captors - only Benfro holds the key to Errol's beloved Martha's whereabouts. But both sides are set on a path of destruction - dragon against dragon, king against queen, man against man.

As the ancient spell that split Gwlad begins to unravel, it may be easier for Benfro and Errol to travel to Gog's world now. But what will happen when the barriers between the two worlds fail entirely? As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious?

*Parts of the previous eBook edition of The Golden Cagehave been used in this work, The Broken World*

Reviews

Iggulden is in a class of his own when it comes to epic, historical fiction

—— Daily Mirror

Superbly plotted and paced

—— The Times

Conn breathes new life into the darkest and most dramatic of times, with a flair for both the huge scale and human interest of it all

—— Star

Exceptionally well-written and gripping

—— Stylist

Compelling reading

—— Woman and Home

A page-turning thriller

—— Mail on Sunday

Pacey and juicy, and packed with action

—— Sunday Times

An intelligent and moving examination of the traumas of war. Faulks is as accomplished as ever

—— Scotsman, Books of the Year

It’s a melancholy tale of war, love and loss that will leave you gulping back sobs

—— Observer, Books 2015 in Review

Faulks gets better and better with every book. This is surely one of the year’s best novels.

—— John Harding , Daily Mail

Faulks writes in the grand tradition of realist fiction…Fans of Faulks — and they are legion — will find a great deal to admire and ponder and sorrow at within these pages. Its aspirations are sincere and noble

—— Spectator

An elegant, thoughtful novel

—— Sunday Mirror

One of his most haunting novels

—— Mail on Sunday

What makes this such an engaging, enjoyable book to read is the depth of the ideas that Faulks explores… As usual, Faulks’ historical research creates a wholly compelling world. Every detail, from glum 1980s New York to the chaos of wartime Belgium, feels fresh and convincing and the characterisation is impeccable

—— Sunday Express

a deeply affecting portrait

—— Metro

It could well be Faulks' magnum opus

—— Gavin Haines , World Travel Guide

expect a passionate story of love lost, delivered by a master storyteller

—— Good Housekeeping

Deeply philosophical…full of real heart

—— Heat Magazine

You’re instantly hooked. There’s a touch of Graham Greene here. The story takes off beautifully.

—— William Leith , Evening Standard

Faulks, always good, describes the transaction between shrink and sex worker and you’re hooked. A touch of Graham Greene here.

—— I

Daring, ambitious and in the end profoundly moving, this is Faulk’s most remarkable book yet.

—— Best

Spins through an exhilarating array of genres. The sensational opening chapter enmeshes the reader in a rollercoaster ride of tragedy, comedy, thriller, fantasy, chicklit, plus a few pages of raunchy sex

—— David Fothergill , Guardian

The Gap of Time takes nothing away from The Winter's Tale. If anything it might add to it, or at least to its resonance and mystery. It is an impressive achievement, especially as Winterson manages the contradictions of comedy and tragedy in a way which suits both their modern likelihood and their moral implications

—— Mary Leland , Irish Examiner

A witty retelling.

—— Joanna Kavenna , Literary Review

Her new story retains the essence of Shakespeare, but filters his comedy and sentiment through feminism and technology.

—— The Culture Trip

Filled with her wit and seriously thought-provoking ideas, Winterson’s writing is a pleasure… This is a well told, beautiful, magical and wonderfully evocative story which resonates with our contemporary lives.

—— Eric Page , Gscene

Vibrates with echoes of Shakespeare’s original.

—— I

Ambitious.

—— Sunday Times

There is a lovely, lilting cadence to the novel… Stylishly done…. Winterson manages against the odds to keep us gripped.

—— Sarah Crown , Guardian

Winterson is on sparkling form in this highly intelligent and daringly imaginative reworking of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale... Witty, clever and bold.

—— Mail on Sunday

Winterson is incapable of being dull, and The Gap Of Time is a fitting addition to her uniquely inventive catalogue.

—— Ellis O'Harrison , Irish Independent

She deftly captures all the magic and raw emotion of the original.

—— Irish Times
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