Ram & Boar books

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Ram and Boar books Ram & Boar books is a Community Interest Company, an immersive fantasy bookshop based in Edinburgh.

Thrilled to announce the launch of our BRAND NEW WEBSITE!

Check it out at https://www.ramandboarbooks.co.uk

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.

This is a great read for anyone new to High Fantasy. A character-driven narrative at heart with elements of magic and fantasy, this is the first in The Kingkiller Chronicle series.
I am yet to read the following books in the series but plan to re-read The Name of the Wind first!

Recommended by Hannah.

A fantastic combination between fantasy and historical fiction! As a follow up or a stand alone series, the “West Of West” trilogy by Angus Watson is set right here on earth but thousands of years ago (much like Watson’s previous series Age of Iron). It tells the story of a group of vikings who, generations ago, sailed away from there home land and settled in prehistoric America. The village of Hardwork is home to Fin, a young man who struggles to fit in among the tough, warrior villagers he shares his town with. But everything changes when the town is attacked by an elite assault team of alchemically enhanced female fighters and Fin and the other survivors must flee for their lives through strange and dangerous lands that they have never been to before.

Currently reading The Binding by Bridget Collins.

Published last year, this novel about bookbinders and magic has been getting a great deal of praise.

Set in a world where books hold deep and dark secrets, this sounds like the perfect read for me!

Also this hardback edition is simply stunning 📚

Have you read The Binding? Let me know what you thought!

Legend by David Gemmell ⁣
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One of the founding influences of modern day fantasy David Gemmell is an extremely talented author who started a century-spanning series based off this debut. The fantasy world’s original novel that breaks down every aspect of an epic battle, from siege tactics to heroic last stands. ⁣
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The plot centres around a gruff warrior believed to be past his prime but ready to show he has what it takes to lead a rag tag army against impossible odds one last time.⁣
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Recommended by Callum. ⁣
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A Crown for Cold Silver by Alex Marshall. ⁣
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Book one of ⁣
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First in a fantastic new trilogy, A Crown for Cold Silver tells the story of a strong warrior who, as a youth, ended the tyrannical reign of a crooked monarch. Now though she lives as a recluse, enjoying a peaceful life, until everything changes when her past catches up to her. ⁣
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Filled with action, twisted religions and a completely original and complex magic system, this series is perfect for fans of Joe Abercrombie and Phillip Pullman alike.⁣
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Recommended by Callum. ⁣
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⁣Always a nostalgic read for me, this beautiful edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is truly brought to life by Jim Kay's vivid illustrations. Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express are my favourite of Kay's illustrations.⁣
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History of Magic notebook by ⁣
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The Grey Bastards by Jonathan French.

The debut novel from a great new author, Jonathan French, sets up a world in which these tough, tattooed and tenacious half orcs form gangs and ride around on “hogs” patrolling The Lot Lands praised as heroes by few and scoundrels by the rest. ⁣
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Then both friendships and loyalty are tested when a mysterious stranger arrives at their base. The fantasy worlds answer to Sons of Anarchy, this book is full of action, intrigue, double crosses and of course BOARS!⁣
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Recommended by Callum.

Follow Jonathan French:

Since got a shout out, here’s the other Ram & Boar books team dog! She is called monza after the Joe Abercrombie character!

This book on Scottish Castles is filled with beautiful watercolours by Jonathan Wheeler and accompanied by Anna Martin's descriptions of each castle.⁣⁣
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Including infamous Scottish Castles such as Edinburgh, Stirling and Eilean Donan, this is a perfect gift for anybody who adores castles or needs inspiration for their next fantasy novel!⁣⁣
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Recommended by Hannah. ⁣⁣
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Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames⁣
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The ultimate genre mash up! Kings of the Wyld is a typical fantasy book following the exploits of a group of infamous mercenaries on one last mission; to save the life of the daughter of their washed-up leader. ⁣
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However it reads like a biography of a world-famous rock band with each member of the band being skilled in different instruments of death and destruction and coming back together to reform the greatest band their world has seen yet and provide their fans with a great reunion show of a hard hitting, monster-slaying, adventurous journey.⁣
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Recommended by Callum.⁣
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Reading The Neverending Story as an adult, I was surprised by how different it felt to the film. Having grown up equal parts mesmerized and scared by the film I was excited to pick up the original story by Micheal Ende.⁣
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The author wasnt a fan of the 1984 film adaptation and even tried to, unsuccessfully, sue the production. Personally I enjoyed both the book and film. In the book the text and illustrations use red and green to differentiate between the real world and the fantasy world of Fantastica. We also get to see a lot more of Bastian's time in Fanastica in the book. ⁣
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Also, don't you think our dog, Spyro, looks a bit like Falkor?!⁣
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Recommended by Hannah. ⁣
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The Edge Chronicles by Paul Stewart &

The first in a vast series, Beyond The Deepwoods follows a young orphan who loses his way and in his travels discovers just how many different races and creatures his world contains. This book sets up the world of The Edge Chronicles to eventually span over five generations of characters and explore the changes that happen in their magical and action packed world.

Great for readers from 5 years old to 500; this series teaches more about the fascinating biology, mystery and engineering of a completely made up universe than any fantasy series before it. Readers will delight in meeting literally hundreds of amazing characters over the 13+ books, from kind hearted and lovable Banderbears to evil scheming politicians.

Recommended by Callum.

Currently Reading A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.⁣
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What are you guys currently reading?⁣ ⁣

A few of our favourite Discworld novels.⁣
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Happy Birthday Sir Terry Pratchett. ⁣
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🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢⁣

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo⁣
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Following on from Bardugo’s bestselling Grisha trilogy the reader is transported to new parts of Bardugo’s Grishaverse and meets a whole new cast of mismatched characters. An unlikely young group of soldiers, thieves and gangsters come together to pull off the biggest heist the world has ever seen.

Perfect for fans of teams, schemes and last minute twists, this duology can be read after the first trilogy or as a stand alone series. (Both of which are soon to be a Netflix original series!)⁣
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Recommended by Callum. ⁣
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Northern Lights by Philip Pullman⁣
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Book one of His Dark Materials, a series which explores concepts of orginial sin and childhood innocence. I've re-read this so many times that Lyra and Pan feel like old friends to me now. Pullman has created a rich and magical world with witches, armoured bears and parallel universes. I just wish daemons were real! ⁣
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Also, I recommend the recent BBC adaptation, which I felt really captured the heart of His Dark Materials. ⁣
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Recommended by Hannah.⁣
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The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie⁣⁣
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Throwing classic fantasy tropes through a loop; Abercrombie’s world building and relatable characters create a universe of liars, schemers, warriors and heroes.⁣⁣
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In the first three books by this visionary author the stage is set for a mysterious battle that has been raging for countless years with characters becoming unwittingly swept on to the board of this world sized game of chess⁣⁣. ⁣⁣
Recommended by Callum.⁣
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Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett⁣⁣⁣⁣
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Eskarina is born a wizard which sends shockwaves throughout the Discworld. Because women can't be wizards, can they? A perfect blend of Pratchett's wit and female empowerment.⁣⁣⁣⁣
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'It is well known that a vital ingredient of success is not knowing that what you're attempting can't be done.'- Equal Rites, Terry Pratchett⁣⁣⁣
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Recommended by Hannah.⁣⁣
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