£4.99 – £9.99
When Cisco Collins returns to his home town thirty years after saving it from being swallowed by a hell mouth opened by an ancient pirate ghost, he realises that being a childhood hero isn’t like it was in the movies. Especially when nobody remembers the heroic bits – even the friends who once fought alongside him.
“A serious creative talent and all-round nice guy.”
– Andrew Patrick, Former CEO, British Film Commission
File Under: Fantasy [Parenting Hacks | Candy Caning | Boss Fight | Playing with Power ]
Struggling with single parenting and treated as bit of a joke, Cisco isn’t really in the Christmas spirit like everyone else. A fact that’s made worse by the tendrils of the pirate’s powers creeping back into our world and people beginning to die in bizarre ways.
With the help of a talking fox, an enchanted forest, a long-lost friend haunting his dreams, and some 80s video game consoles turned into weapons, Cisco must now convince his friends to once again help him save the day. Yet they quickly discover that being a ghostbusting hero is so much easier when you don’t have schools runs, parent evenings, and nativity plays to attend. And even in the middle of a supernatural battle, you always need to bring snacks and wipes…
“Combines sci-fi and fantasy elements into an energetic cross-genre romp”
– Publishers Weekly
“Swashbucklers brings all the magic of the 80’s back to life, and delivers a fun, action-packed tale with heart.”
– Fantasy Hive
“The middle-aged heroes of Swashbucklers are definitely getting too old for this shite, but to protect their families and the town they grew up in from the worst fears of their youth, they are game to try. Dan’s page-turning second novel proves it’s not always possible – or wise – to put aside childish things. A great read!”
– R.W.W.Greene, author of The Light Years
“Saving an unsuspecting world from an ancient evil while navigating the tricky perils of parenthood! Dan Hanks’ Swashbucklers is literally a nostalgia-inducing, pop culture acid-trip where the hometown kids reunite as middle-aged Goonies to confront It with fabricated Ghostbuster gear and the help of a fantastical army from Narnia. Pack a day bag and don’t forget to bring the wipes!”
– Patricia A. Jackson, author of Forging a Nightmare
“With Swashbucklers, Dan Hanks puts forty-year-old characters in an action-packed fantastical story designed for the fitness level of teenagers and sees if they can keep up. They can’t. And it’s an awesome formula for fun.”
– Chris Panatier, author of The Phlebotomist
PRAISE FOR DAN HANKS
“Hanks packs his pulpy, energetic debut with gritty violence, snazzy super-science, and high-flying adventure.”
– Publishers Weekly
“A serious creative talent and all-round nice guy.”
– Andrew Patrick, Former CEO, British Film Commission
“It’s a giddy, white-knuckled ride to the very end.”
– R.W.W. Greene author of The Light Years
“Dan Hanks delivers a rip-roaring pulp adventure full of supernatural artefacts and boobytraps, insurmountable odds, and irredeemable villains.”
– Michael F. Haspil, author of Graveyard Shift
“So cinematic, you can taste the buttered popcorn.”
– S.A. Sidor, author of Fury from the Tomb
“Move over Indiana Jones, Captain Moxley has arrived and she won’t ask you twice!”
– Amanda Bridgeman, author of The Subjugate
“Buckle up and enjoy the ride!”
– Michael J. Martinez, author of The Daedalus Incident
“Hanks forces us to suspend reality, embrace the chaotic ride and revel in the fun-factor.”
– Fantasy Faction
“Rolls along at break-neck pace…like a novelisation of a hit movie you never saw”
– Starburst Magazine
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