With the hot breath and snapping jaws of the hounds too close behind, he runs . . .

Beran creates magical marvels at his forge. Obsessed with his art, he ignores the people of his household and town. When a corrupt and jealous rival falsely accuses the smith of a dangerous crime—and makes it stick—Beran lacks allies.

Turned over to a violent religious sect for execution, Beran refuses to go tamely, but the manhunt on his heels makes escape unlikely.

Unless Beran learns to value human connection—to choose it—the hounds will tear him down in his tracks.

The Smith and the Hermit is a fairytale of J.M. Ney-Grimm's fantastical North-lands. If you enjoy the urgency of the hunt, the once-upon-a-time style of Andrew Lang's Red Fairy Book, and that magical moment when a character embraces change, you'll love this story of invention and resource.

Buy The Smith and the Hermit to confront isolation's snares today!