Chronicles of the Black Gate is an epic fantasy series by Phil Tucker. After the death of Lord Kyferin, his brother seizes the castle, and Lady Iskra, her daughter Kethe, and a few loyal followers are exiled to an accursed keep in a remote location. There, they must gain the support of the local villagers and survive the perils of the haunted castle while facing the scars of the past. A medieval setting, noble heroes, and world-altering events meet a fast-paced plot and complex themes in this Spiritual Successor to the High Fantasy series of the 80s and 90s.
This work contains examples of:
- All Your Base Are Belong to Us: the Kyferins are exiled from their castle near the beginning of the first book.
- Fictional Document: Magister Audsley finds a book called The Path of Flames.
- Medieval European Fantasy: The characters live in a feudal society whose social rankings are similar to those of Medieval Europe.
- Never Speak Ill of the Dead: Sir Asho and Lady Iskra carefully word their eulogies for Lord Kyferin.
- Portal Network: Lunar gates, which are attuned to phases of the moon, connect different locations.
- Reassigned to Antarctica: Lady Iskra and those loyal to her are exiled to House Kyferin's haunted ancestral castle, which is located on an island in a mountain lake.
- Sole Survivor: The first book begins with Asho, a young squire, surviving a battle that kills the rest of the Black Wolves. Tharok is this as well.
- Two Lines, No Waiting: There are two plotlines in the first book. Perspectives from House Kyferin alternate with the accession of Tharok, a Kragh warrior.
- Would Hurt a Child: Sir Tiron attempted to assassinate Kethe when she was twelve.
