For centuries, the world outside Yamato turned, while in the island nation, little changed. But the barbarians have finally broken through the gates, and the rebels have risen openly.Bran reunites with his father on Dejima, just as the Bataavians and the local daimyo prepare to join the rebellion against the Taikun. Nagomi follows her visions across the Dan-no-Ura Straits, only to discover there is more to the Prophecy than she ever imagined. Sato and the Kiheitai, on secret orders from Lord Mori, rush to reach the Imperial Capital of Heian before the full might of Taikun's army - and the Black Dragons he's allied with. The time for whispers and secrets is over. The dark clouds burst - and the bloody civil war is finally upon Yamato.

Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award 2012 semi-finalist. An ancient empire stands on the brink of a civil war.His arrival may push it over the edge.It is the sixteenth year of Queen Victoria's enlightened rule and the world trembles before the might of her ironclad navy and the dreaded Dragon Corps. The largest ship ever built sails from the Brigstow Harbour on a journey to the mysterious lands of Orient. Its load - a regiment of the Royal Marines and one Bran ap Dylan - freshly graduate in Dracology at the Llambed Academy of Mystic Arts.In the empire of Yamato, sealed from the rest of the world for the last two centuries, a wizard's daughter Sato witnesses her father joining an anti-government conspiracy. Her friend Nagomi, training to be a priestess, is haunted by dark visions that she must keep secret. Neither of them is aware that a change is coming to Yamato... on the wings of a dragon.A detailed and fast-paced historical fantasy based around the turbulent opening of Japan to the West in the middle of the 19th century, "The Shadow of the Black Wings" is the first volume in "The Year of the Dragon" saga. The second volume, "The Warrior's Soul", is expected in August.Review"This manuscript is full of highly crafted detail that will make readers shiver at times with fear and delight ... a familiar yet highly original fantasy that is a worthwhile read." - Publisher's Weekly."I project a hit ...the writing itself is great." - ABNA Expert Reviewers.About the AuthorJames Calbraith is a 34 year old Poland-born writer, foodie and traveller, currently residing in South London.Growing up in communist Poland on a diet of powdered milk, Lord of the Rings and soviet science-fiction, he had his first story published at the ripe age of eight. After years of bouncing around university faculties, he moved to London in 2007, found a decent IT job and started writing in English. His debut historical fantasy novel, "The Shadow of Black Wings", reached ABNA semi-finals in 2012. He published a volume of short stories, "Transmission", on Amazon Kindle in June 2012.

BEST-SELLING ORIENTAL FANTASY - DRAGONS, WIZARDS AND SAMURAI!Described as "part Harry Potter, part Shogun", James Calbraith's "The Year of the Dragon" series is an epic tale of magic, intrigue and war in a world of dragon riding marines, wizard-controlled ironclads and vampire samurai.This is a bundle edition of the first four books of the best-selling historical fantasy saga, containing the entire Crimson Robe arc:Book 1: The Shadow of Black WingsBook 2: The Warrior's SoulBook 3: The Islands in the MistBook 4: The Rising TideThe deluxe edition contains also a short story "Birkenhead Drill", a full glossary of foreign words, list of characters, the map of the land of Gwynedd and a chronology of the world.**

It’s the middle of summer in the Year of the Dragon. The hunt for the Crimson Robe may be over, but the adventure continues… With Bran seemingly gone from Yamato forever, his friends settle in their new lives, their common adventures a distant memory. Sato enrolls in Lord Nariakira’s school of wizardry, while Nagomi joins her father’s medical practice in far-away Nagoya. But the revolution, once started, cannot be stopped. The foreign threat finally comes to Yamato’s doorstep. A Varyagan submarine drops anchor in Kiyo harbour. A Bataavian warship arrives at Kagoshima, carrying Dylan ab Ifor, Gwen and Wulfhere. In Shimoda, the Black Wings supply fleet brings with it a curious, unwanted guest…