New on Amazon: Unwell
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$4.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.

Audiobook Price: $21.83

Save: $14.34 (66%)

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

AC Cobble
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Quill: The Cartographer Book 1 Kindle Edition

by AC Cobble (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,231 ratings
The fate of empire is to crumble from within.

A heinous murder in a small village reveals a terrible truth. Sorcery, once thought dead in Enhover, is not. Evidence of an occult ritual and human sacrifice proves that dark power has been called upon again. Twisting threads of clues lead across the known world to the end of a vast empire, and then, the trail returns home.

Duke Oliver Wellesley, son of the king, cartographer, and adventurer, has better things to do than investigate a murder in a sleepy fishing hamlet. For Crown and Company, though, he goes where he’s told. As the investigation leads to deeper and darker places, he’ll be forced to confront the horrific spectres rising from the shadows of his past. When faced with the truth, will he sacrifice what is necessary to survive?

Samantha serves a Church that claims to no longer need her skills. She’s apprenticed to a priest-assassin that no one knows. Driven by a mad prophecy, her mentor has prepared her for a battle with ultimate darkness, except, sorcery is dead. When all is at stake, can she call upon an arcane craft the rest of the world has forgotten?

AC Cobble, the author of the fan-favorite Benjamin Ashwood series, crafts worlds of stunning-depth and breath-taking adventure. In Quill: The Cartographer Book 1, a pair of unlikely investigators walk a deadly path into the past, uncovering secrets best left alone. For fans of Benjamin Ashwood, be warned this series is both darker and sexier than Ben's tale.

The fate of empire is to crumble from within. Do not ask when, ask who.
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 1 of 3
    The Cartographer
  2. Print length
    512 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    June 1, 2019
  5. Reading age
    14 - 18 years
  6. File size
    5.7 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details
Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
Hydrate & focus with every sip Shop now

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 3 books in this series.
This option includes 3 books.

Customers also bought or read

Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous page
  1. Conspiracy: Wahrheit Book 1
    Kindle Edition
    $4.99
  2. Benjamin Ashwood
    Kindle Edition
    $2.99
  5. The Queen's Blade
    Kindle Edition
    $4.99
  8. The Cartographer: Complete Series
    Kindle Edition
    $9.99
Next page
Loading...

From the Publisher

A Dark Fantasy Thriller

The Cartographer

The Cartographer

Duke Oliver Wellesley is the son of the king, but he's given up that life to make a name on his own and to explore the world. When tasked with solving a heinous crime, how will he react when the trail leads home?

The Inspector

The Inspector

Inspector Patrick McCready has seen horrors that haunt his dreams, but he's never seen anything like this. His quiet coastal hamlet is upended when the body of a noblewoman is found, killed in a foul, occult ritual.

The Priestess

The Priestess

Samantha, a priestess and assassin for the Church, serves an organization that considers her talent anathema. Her existence is a death sentence. She knows they will turn on her, but not until they've drawn every drop of blood.

The Adventure

The Adventure

The Cartographer is a fast-paced, dark and sexy fantasy thriller. If you like world-spanning travel, Holmesian mystery, high seas adventure, occult rituals, and epic fantasy, this series is for you!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I had a good time reading this and will definitely pick up the next." - Anna on Goodreads.com
"It's an adventure. It's a romp. It's two-fisted, leather-pantsed, drunken alley fighting fun." - Jim on Goodreads.com
"As a reader I don't think I can ask more of an author. AC Cobble showcases himself as a writer to watch." - Mihir, Fantasy Book Critic
"I love Steel and I read it in one sitting" - Kartik, Digital Amrit & Top Goodreads Reviewer on Book 2

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07QK7LJR9
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cobble Publishing LLC (June 1, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 1, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.7 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 512 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 1,231 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
AC Cobble

AC Cobble

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

AC Cobble is the author of Wahrheit, The King's Ranger, Benjamin Ashwood, and Cartographer series.

Wahrheit is a classic epic fantasy adventure. It is packed full of political intrigue, epic battles, spies & assassins, ancient magic, a little humor, a young man and woman against impossible odds, and dragons. If you liked AC Cobble's other books, you will love this series.

The King's Ranger is a clean, action-packed adventure. Rew, the titular ranger, wants only to manage the wilderness he is responsible for, but the arrival of three youths in his jail cell force him to embark on an epic journey. To protect the youths, he's forced to confront a darkness in his past and join a swirling conflict that will envelope the entire kingdom.

Benjamin Ashwood is AC's take on the classic farm boy with a sword fantasy story. It starts much like they all do, but in Ben's world like the real world, heroes are made not born, and the good guys don't always win. Try it today and find out why this series has sold hundreds of thousands of copies!

The Cartographer is a little sexier and a little darker, but has the same sense of fun and adventure as Benjamin Ashwood. Think world spanning travel and exploration, occult rituals, dark seductresses, bodies dropping like flies, and bar fights. Fans of Rhys will love Oliver and Sam. Join the adventure today!

For series artwork, maps, the newsletter signup, the blog, and more, head over to: https://accobble.com/.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
1,231 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers enjoy this steampunk adventure for its fantastic world-building and exciting plot with twists and turns, though some find it boring at times. The book features strong female characters and good banter between the main characters, making it a captivating start to the series. While the writing style receives mixed reviews, with some finding it well-written while others note frequent misuse of words, customers appreciate the steampunk feel and consider it a great new series.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

37 customers mention "Readability"37 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable to read, with one mentioning it keeps them engaged from start to finish.

"...the battle is over, they find that the war goes on. This book is a great read, and I would heartily recommend it to any SciFi, or Epic..." Read more

"First, I enjoyed reading this book. I share this initially because there's a subjective "but" that follows...." Read more

"Very good book. But not what I added expected...." Read more

"...I enjoyed the overall story and the writing style is quick-witted fun. It's a murder mystery with sex, lies, and airships!..." Read more

26 customers mention "Character development"22 positive4 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, with one review highlighting the good banter between the main characters and another noting the strong female characters.

"...The characters are memorable and rich. It’s pretty gory, there’s a lot of occult imagery, and graphic sex scenes, both hetero and same sex...." Read more

"...Good combat, strong descriptions, and some of the best villains I’ve read in years are all here— the patience and skill to build up villains into..." Read more

"Great plot, just moves a bit slow at time Wonderful character development Nice cliffhanger at the end of the boom" Read more

"...Lots of good banter between the main 2 characters. If you are into steampunk and liked the authors first series you will like this one." Read more

23 customers mention "Adventure"23 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the adventure in this book, praising its fantastic world building and action-packed plot. One customer notes how the story is skillfully woven from different perspectives.

"...The other source of wonder in this novel is the world in which it is set...." Read more

"...AC does a great job of weaving the story together from different perspectives. He maintains the tapestry well in the way he accomplishes this...." Read more

"...story it had twists and turns and did not follow a certain idea Very exciting and lot Suspense." Read more

"This book was a fun easy read. The writing, adventure, and the world building are the brightest highlights...." Read more

8 customers mention "Series development"8 positive0 negative

Customers are excited about the series development, with several noting it's a great start, and one customer mentioning the sequel is due out soon.

"I really like A. C. Cobble as an author. The Benjamin Ashwood series is terrific...." Read more

"This appears to be the beginning of a great series. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book...." Read more

"A flawed but honorable hero. How fun. Go ahead and buy it. The sequel is due out soon!" Read more

"...This author showed promise with his first series but has now shown that his writing is not worth the time." Read more

7 customers mention "Steampunk feel"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the steampunk elements of the book, with one customer highlighting its wonderful 19th century English feel.

"...The world building here is spectacular. It has a wonderful 19th century English Steampunk feel, but with magic...." Read more

"...from the Ashwood series, but the world is way more interesting and nuanced, and the characters are almost all a lot of fun...." Read more

"Excellent steampunk fantasy. Great storyline and nicely untraditional. Looking forward to the next in the series...." Read more

"I felt like it was more original than most others out there within this genre. Like Benjamin Ashwood, I look forward to reading the whole series." Read more

46 customers mention "Plot"32 positive14 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the plot of the book, with some praising its twists and turns and exciting pace, while others find it boring and unsatisfying.

"...From the first line this is a mystery novel...." Read more

"I love the idea behind this book, intrigue and dark magic and the peerage pitted against each other doing sneaky stuff...." Read more

"And holds on tight. Fast paced yet never loses continuity. Read it straight through except for long nap...." Read more

"...This is not a G rated movie. You'll want to make sure it fits your parenting guidelines before exposing your kids to it...." Read more

14 customers mention "Writing style"7 positive7 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book, with some finding it well written while others note frequent misuse of words.

"This book was a fun easy read. The writing, adventure, and the world building are the brightest highlights...." Read more

"...There are notable misspellings and a couple of misused words (proceed instead of precede, for instance). How much this affects the reader will vary...." Read more

"...But the writing could use some tightening up. It's clear that the author loves words, but that comes out in a lot of unnecessary turns of phrase..." Read more

"...There are a few spelling errors but not so much that it pulls you out of the story...." Read more

9 customers mention "Ease of follow"5 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about how easy the book is to follow, with some finding it engaging and hard to put down, while others note it leaves too many questions unanswered.

"...The basic premise has a familiarity...." Read more

"...and relies on the main characters missing obvious clues and not following up with people who obviously sent them into traps etc...." Read more

"...The political system is very familiar and easy to grasp. The characters are memorable and rich...." Read more

"Great read and solid character development. World was a bit hard to follow and it wasn't fully clear who villains were but still a great read." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Arrowsmith47
    5.0 out of 5 stars Swords and Sorcery, with a Steampunk Vibe
    Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I have read and enjoyed each volume of the author’s previous series, but it appears I have come late to “The Cartographer” Series. The basic premise has a familiarity. The discovery of sorcerous activity in a world supposedly free of dark magic.
    The dynamic swordsman, who happens to be of the blood royal, may seem to be a stock character. However, he is a world famous explorer and mapmaker as well as a Duke without portfolio. The sultry priestess is another stock character from conventional “Swords and Sorcery, but this character is not what you would ordinarily expect. She is expert in armed and unarmed combat, and an adept in some type of white or defensive magic.
    These differences arise because they are not participating in a normal barbarian sword and sorcery story, even if there are swords, and some measure of sorcery. From the first line this is a mystery novel. It begins with a vicious murderous ritual mutilation of a once beautiful woman, and proceeds at breakneck speed over vast portions of their planet. They further the Duke and the Priestess proceed, the more complicated the plot gets, the fewer answers seem to fit their questions. It is a great whodunnit, and maybe a great whatdunnit!
    The other source of wonder in this novel is the world in which it is set. It is an incongruous mix of Elizabethan England, and early Victorian England with oddly advanced technology added in. In all as I said in my title, somewhat “steampunk” in nature. The kingdom involved stretches from East to West and from temperate to Tropic. The economy is reminiscent of the Great East India Company in history. The best bit is the flying ships straight out of Edgar Rice Boroughs’ John Carter on Barsoom, without the Green Martians of course.
    The climactic portion of this plot revolves around an ominous prophecy, arcane supernatural rituals, human sacrifice, and the ultimate evil. Two dauntless supernatural detectives versus he whose name must never be invoked. The suspense will have you on the edge of your seat - okay maybe it was just my imagination kicking in. As odd as the setting is, I has no problem with suspending disbelief for the length of this novel. No spoilers in my reviews. Just enjoy. Just one thing the shattering climax of this novel is a tense battle between our protagonists and ultimate evil. When the battle is over, they find that the war goes on.
    This book is a great read, and I would heartily recommend it to any SciFi, or Epic Fantasy fan. The exact genre involved still escapes me, and that is a good thing. Don’t miss this one. I am going to move right along to the next volume, just released.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • AJJ
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and well crafted, but...
    Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    First, I enjoyed reading this book. I share this initially because there's a subjective "but" that follows.

    Like many others, I read this because I thoroughly enjoyed Benjamin Ashwood, AC Cobble's series about an adventurous brewer-become-warrior. So it was natural for me to approach Quill anticipating that it would have a similar feel to it. It really doesn't.

    Obviously there are some similarities in the style, but it's just not the same feel. It's not better or worse. it's different. So it would be good for the reader to approach it realizing that it's different.

    AC comments that Quill is darker. This is an apt description of the "feel" of the story in comparison. It's a completely different world, more modern and in some ways fanciful. Flying ships and blunderbusses go naturally together, right? In Quill they do.

    Getting more into the review of the book itself:
    AC does a great job of weaving the story together from different perspectives. He maintains the tapestry well in the way he accomplishes this. And I found it really enjoyable to jump from person to person, sometimes even in the same scene. Not all authors could pull this off well, but I thought AC handled it superbly.
    This is not a G rated movie. You'll want to make sure it fits your parenting guidelines before exposing your kids to it. Casual sex is openly evident as is the normalizing of homosexuality. There doesn't appear to be a moral compass in regard to these things in Quill's world. Profanity peppers the pages as well. Where that fits on a scale is subjective, but readers should be aware.
    The book could use another editor's fine tuning. It's not bad at all. Some books make it to Kindle that are so laden with typos that they're painful to read. Quill is very well edited. There are notable misspellings and a couple of misused words (proceed instead of precede, for instance). How much this affects the reader will vary. For me it was just notable, but not distracting.

    I'm glad I met Duke and Sam. They weren't what i expected, but should they be? In the end, I could understand their struggles and felt like I was getting to know them.

    For me it didn't carry the same whimsicality nor draw me in like Ben and friends did. While I doubt if I'd ever read it again, I did enjoy it. And I'll probably read the sequel to see how things turned out. I've seen some people say that this is better than the Ashwood series. At first brush, I don't think so. I couldn't put Ashwood down, devouring all six books and disappointed when it was over. I really wanted to sit and have an ale with the main characters. With Duke and Sam, I could take it or leave it. But I think most of that is simply a matter of taste. You'll have to judge for yourself. We'll see how things develop.

    Thanks for sharing your story, JC.
    24 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • ACHoffman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Suspenseful and Surprising
    Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Very good book. But not what I added expected. Even from the beginning when I thought I was expecting a different story it had twists and turns and did not follow a certain idea Very exciting and lot Suspense.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars A magical murder mystery with sex, lies, and airships!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This book was a fun easy read. The writing, adventure, and the world building are the brightest highlights.

    I enjoyed the overall story and the writing style is quick-witted fun. It's a murder mystery with sex, lies, and airships! The world building is fantastic. I can't wait to find out more about the systems of magic and how they work.

    The two main characters are:
    Duke - a younger member of the royal family who lives a life of privilege and adventure.
    Sam - an assassin of the church, trained in the dangers of magic and charged with destroying them

    The parts of the book that I didn't like were the main characters interactions with ANY of the villains. The two smart, complex characters suddenly behaved like complete idiots. Neither of them could see the writing on the wall and even when they do they discount it until forced to reconsider. The villains are not very well hidden and the fact that the heroes can't spot any of them is frustrating and implausible.

    Overall the book was definitely worth reading and I look forward to the next edition in the series.
    8 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging, Enthralling and Excellent read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 9, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Having read the Benjamin Ashwiod series I started this expecting another fantasy book of the same genre. Instead I discovered for the first time a steampunk orientated world that had all of the imagination and beautifully crafted world I enjoy in fantasy and fused it with a touch of magical technology. The writing was as good in fact better than Benjamin Ashwiod, clearly AC is refining his craft. The characters are deeply crafted and multi dimensional. I felt invested in the characters and story arc very early on and things just got better with every page turn. I am really looking forward to the rest of the series.
    Report
  • Mr. Richard Whetton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good opener to a series
    Reviewed in Australia on July 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Good story - obvious universe building opening novel, looking forward to the follow ups/
    Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun ride
    Reviewed in Canada on November 11, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Really enjoyed this story. Lots of twists, an interesting world, and great characters. I can't wait until the next book.
    Report
  • Lord rascal
    5.0 out of 5 stars A huge fan
    Reviewed in India on March 25, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I must admit, I have become a huge fan of Mr. Cobble's writing, his books and series and his cast of characters who I constantly fall in love with. I also like it that the female cast is equally well written.

    I finished Ben Ashwood series last year and now after starting the kings ranger series and finding it's only 2 books in.. I can't wait for them.. But after reading the first of the cartographer series. I am enthralled by the fantastical world, the airships, the politics, and secret societies.

    'nuff said. Onto the second book now.
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in Australia on July 13, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    The adventure moved well with a thought provoking mix of old and new technology as well as sorcery and the church. Found it hard to put the book down.
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report