Hooked from page one, We Are the Dead rattles along with the pace of a runaway bullet train. Original, engaging, flawed but very-human characters draw us into a world rent by war, a world of brutal occupation, tarnished honour and devastating magics. This is a powerful debut and Shackle is an author to watch--Gavin Smith, author of The Bastard Legion
A masterpiece of a story about hope, resistance and fellowship--The Book Bag
An adventure that's rich in darkness and bloodshed.--SFX MAGAZINE
Fans of Joe Abercrombie and R.F. Kuang are sure to find something to love here--Fantasy Hive
We Are the Dead is a staggering, marvellous and gripping fantasy debut--Grimdark Magazine
A barnstorming book of ordinary people dealing with extraordinary circumstances - great fun and very entertaining--Tom Lloyd, author of Stranger of Tempest
Gripping, grim and glorious--Mark Stay, author of The End of Magic
An utter masterpiece--Where There's Ink There's Paper
We Are the Dead is a fantasy novel that is able to blend the modern trends of dark fantasy with the magical styles of the past--SF Book
A brutal showstopper of a novel--Always Trust in Books
This is a good fun resistance story, featuring thoroughly horrible, and believable, occupiers--Morning Star
One of the best fantasy debuts in years--Civilian Reader
We Are the Dead is awesome. Memorable characters. One of the most sadistic villains I've ever encountered. Tightly woven action scenes that feel like something you'd see in a Micheal Mann film. I was gripped and loving it the entire time--Brian Naslund, author of Blood of an Exile
An easy 5 stars from me . . . The tension ratchets up nicely as the best laid plans fall apart and people struggle to survive. The world building and characters fit together flawlessly--Cameron Johnston, author of The Traitor God
You can't write a debut novel much better than this--Under the Radar SFF Books
From start to finish this will keep you on the edge of your seat. This is an outstanding debut, you don't want to miss it.--Starlit Book
A fantastic, enthralling debut. Imagine if Akira Kuworasawa and Joe Abercrombie wrote a fantasy thriller with a pace that moves at the speed of light--Jeremy Szal, author of Stormblood
A fantastic story with unique characters that draw you in and don't let you go--Justin Call, author of Master of Sorrows
A superb opening novel to The Last War series that takes you on a break-neck speed ride of plot twists, bloody battles and pain--Jack's Bedtime Reading
Dark, brutal, wonderful--Nick Martell, author of Kingdom of Liars
Likely the next Game of Thrones, and the best book I've read in several years. Erikson, Martin and Rothfuss are going to have to shove over and make room at the bar . . . I can't think how to tone down my enthusiasm--Glen Cook, author of The Black Company
Like Tarantino crossed with David Gemmell . . . Absolutely splendid. Shackle has come up with something really special here--Peter McLean, author of Priest of Bones
One of the best debuts I've read in ages. Original grimdark fantasy, wonderfully paced--Luke Skull