One weapon to rule them all… Accused falsely of a grotesque act of murder, Leitus, the romantic noble son of the Empire’s greatest enemy finds himself beset from all sides by more foes than friends. In his desperation, he feels himself alone in this world – nowhere to turn. But soon he will learn that the world is not what he thought it once was. Encountering Bita, a beautiful slave girl who is destined to bear the children of the Gods, he sees his life is changing forever. But Bita’s provincial village of ancient Britain has been unable to prepare her for her almighty purpose. Soon, both Bita and Leitus must join forces to fight the forces of evil that surround them. As they struggle in this new, mystic reality, they encounter things they had never dreamt of. Myths become reality, as the pair navigate an enchanted druid world filled with painted warriors, mist-covered forests and powerful magic. What was once mere fantasy has now taken the shape of deadly tyranny. A myth, you might ask, is a myth, but why stretch it so out of shape? God’s Children, Arthurian legends, fantastical abilities and the young taking on forces of tyranny.

Leitus, the Roman outcast who found shelter in Judea. Bita, Leitus' wife, who still remembered the Druid magic of her native Britain. Morga, the evil priestess, raised in a world of rituals, secrets and murder. Antony, the noble emperor who had discovered the secrets of the pyramids. An unknown force brought them all together in the desert for a rendezvous with dark beings of the shadow world, who still spoke the language of Hell. Will this unlikely band of wanderers have what it takes to stare pure evil in the face? Or will the stone that was broken remain forever in ruin? Broken Stone is a gripping historical fantasy from two-time Pulitzer Prize-nominated author Richard Monaco. “Captivating…” – Associated Press “Epic scope…” – Los Angeles Sunday Times “Monaco’s dialogue and meditations are often salty and fresh … a restless, strenuous rumination on civilization’s death and resurrection…” – Kirkus Reviews “Worth waiting for. Often bawdy and raw…” – Publishers Weekly “Monaco recreates the taste, touch, smell and sound of the knightly world in reality, not romance … he succeeds brilliantly…” – Library Journal “Monaco presents dark, tormented tales … not for the weak-hearted.” – Fantasy Newsletter “an instant classic.” – Salisbury Times “… unbelievably talented … a literary miracle…” – Drogin Book Column “… offers a worthy inclusion in the enduring and ever-expanding Arthurian literature.” – King Features Syndicate Richard Monaco wrote the best-selling Parsival novels, 1977-2012, two of which were Pulitzer finalists. In addition he wrote over a dozen other books, plays, and screenplays. Monaco studied musical composition at Columbia, edited a national student newspaper and a poetry magazine, and had a radio talk show based on his textbook The Logic of Poetry. In 1979 he co-founded a NYC literary agency and the online journal, Grand Central Review, in 2015.