I am thrilled to finally reveal my next book in the Copper & Ash series: Rusty Throat, Burning Heart.
About the Series
Copper & Ash is a post-apocalyptic fantasy series by Adam Bassett, inspired by stories like Under the Dome, Annihilation, and music such as “Bur man laimi” by Tautumeitas.
The first book, Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs, released in all formats in February 2026. A second edition paperback is releasing September 12, 2026. It’s a novella-length story packed with deep character relationships and worldbuilding.
The sequel is a whopping three times longer, and delves into some unexpected parts of the world. It is planned to release in paperback and digital formats on March 27, 2027, with an audiobook to come later.
Book 2 Cover Art & Details
The series’ covers are both illustrated by Silvia Gorchakova (Gorchart)! For book two it was important to me that we showcased a sense of the adventure Anna goes on in this novel, and the romance in the book. I also asked Silvia to bring more color into this one, and show how the deadly mists are a little less omnipresent this time. I was also glad to get one of the creatures from the mist on the back cover of the paperback!
Rusty Throat, Burning Heart (Book 2) Synopsis
For a thousand years, The Old Town has stood as humanity’s last bastion—until now. Beyond the deadly mists and terrors of the maalkonis, and across foreign waters, lights flicker in the distance. There are other survivors.
Anna, a skilled engineer and self-taught mage, is among the first to make contact with these strangers beyond the veil. When she discovers that they’ve managed to keep the mists at bay through a mastery of magic, she seeks answers from their mage, Valentín. However, the magic he wields comes at a terrible price.
Anna’s copper machines represent an unexpected sense of freedom for both Valentín and future generations of mages. They present a future that he had thought impossible to reach. However, trust is hard-won and easily lost. Budding allies turn to bitter enemies as deep-rooted divisions within the realm rear their ugly head.
Early Praise for RTBH
“I was impressed by how vividly I could see the world Bassett created, and the way he merges engineering with magic is super unique. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a dystopian fantasy that’s unlike anything they’ve already read.”
—Qilanna Quinn, author of To Avenge a Fallen Star and To Save a Broken Nebula.
“Bassett draws you into his stories with ease. Through atmospheric tension, sky high stakes and timely reminders of hope, he had me hooked from the very first chapter. I cannot wait to see what he has in store next.”
—K.D. Marchesi, author of Alpha.
Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs, 2nd Edition Coming Soon
On September 12, 2026, the second edition paperback of Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs (book 1) will be available! You can read my most recent newsletter to learn more about this, but in short…
Book two is three times longer than book one (oops) and I had to reformat it to be a 6×9 inch paperback. So, the 2nd edition brings Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs in line with book 2, using the same 6×9 formatting. Plus, there’s five new illustrations in it, one for each chapter header!
If you don’t care about the books in a series all being the same size and formatting, I’m offering first edition copies of Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs 33% off on my shop (US delivery). Available while supplies last.
Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs (Book 1) Synopsis
For a thousand years, The Old Town has stood as humanity’s last bastion against the maalkonis, malignant black mists that reduced the rest of the world to ash. They are kept at bay by rusty machines on the town’s walls. In order to survive, the dwindling population depends on one another.
Since a young age, Justīne has embraced the harsh responsibilities that accompanied her apprenticeship on the last farm in existence. Her younger sister, Anna, is beginning her own apprenticeship as well. Learning engineering was not Anna’s first choice, but the town’s last mage fell to the maalkonis years prior, leaving nothing behind but confusing books and strange runes.
When food runs low during a particularly harsh winter, distrust spreads like a plague, and Justīne is blamed for it. As hunger leads to violence, she and her siblings are forced to flee The Old Town, embarking on a perilous journey into the very mists that had formed their cage. Their fight to survive in the dark develops into a hopeful mystery as they follow the breadcrumbs of a mage’s efforts to save the world. Meanwhile something pursues them through the maalkonis…
What FanFiAddict Says About CSOL
“This will hit for fans of genre blends, dystopian or post apocalypse stories that still feature hope, and fantasy and sci-fi readers alike.”
—C.J. Daley (Read full review)
“The book is not heavy on the action or mystery but there is a quietness of everyday life in this last bastion-esque town that I found really neat. Just the basics of survival, I really enjoyed that.”
—Bill Adams (Read full review)
Pre-Order & Kickstarter
The books are coming to Kickstarter! You can follow the pre-release page now so that you’re alerted when it goes live in early October.
Once it’s live, the Kickstarter will offer some special bundles for the series across digital, print, and audio formats. This is mainly a pre-order campaign, but if it raises enough money to cover the existing costs I’ve already spent on art, editing, and the planned audiobook I have plans to add some extra goodies!
Other Ways to Pre-Order
If you’d rather not use Kickstarter, I’m proud to say that I’ve partnered with a few independent bookstores—each of whom are offering their own pre-order deals. Check them out below:
- The Crafty Bookstore (US)
- Imaginary Adventures Bookshop (US, Canada)
- Monsieur Hamlet Bookshop (UK)
- Lunar Books (Australia, New Zealand)
- Willow and Dagger Bookshoppe (US, International)
You can also pre-order directly through my shop (US)!
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