In the tradition of the wild heroes from Bernard Cornwell’s Richard Sharpe series, and with the immersive pace of Michael Shaara's The Killer Angels, this is a military historical novel bursting with valor and vengeance in the heart of the South American marshes.

Inspired by true events.

As the Paraguayan War rages on, Lieutenant Luis Caetano and his small band of soldiers face an overwhelming enemy. Rivers of Steel, the second book in The Paraguayan War Series, takes readers deeper into the brutal fight for survival along Brazil’s southern border during the conflict also known as the War of the Triple Alliance.

Luis, now battle-tested and weary, must defend the critical town of São Borja against a powerful army that outnumbers them eight to one. His team includes a mix of unlikely backers: Gaspar, a smuggler seeking revenge for his brother’s death; Nopitena, a native warrior driven by the destruction of his tribe; Martin, a Thuringian sharpshooter with little to say but much to show; and Primo, a childhood friend with a hazy past.

Together, they struggle to overcome old grudges and work as a team as they prepare for an impossible fight.

Across the river, the Paraguayan General Estigarribia leads thousands of soldiers with a single goal: to unleash havoc against any opposition and to subdue by the sheer force of his superior numbers. Meanwhile, in Buenos Aires, Joana watches diplomats fighting to keep a fragile alliance alive, knowing that any betrayal could bring disaster for her country—and her brother.

Rivers of Steel tells a powerful story of courage, loyalty, and survival. In dramatic battles recounted in detail—from the Battle of São Borja to the Siege of Uruguaia and the Riachuelo Battle—decisions will shape the fate of four nations and the entire Gomes de Carvalho family.