The Emperor's Blades

Description

Winner of the 2015 David Gemmell Award for Best Fantasy Debut. An explosive fantasy debut, The Emperor's Blades by Brian Staveley is a fast-paced, thrilling epic. If you like Joe Abercrombie and John Gwynne, you'll love this. 'Will keep you turning the pages late at night' - Pierce Brown, Sunday Times bestselling author of Red Rising The circle is closing. The stakes are high. And old truths will live again . . . The Emperor has been murdered, leaving the Annurian Empire in turmoil. Now his progeny must prepare to unmask a conspiracy. His son Valyn, training for the empire's deadliest fighting force, hears the news an ocean away. And after several 'accidents' and a dying soldier's warning, he realizes his life is also in danger. Yet before Valyn can act, he must survive the mercenaries' brutal final initiation. The Emperor's daughter, Minister Adare, hunts her father's murderer in the capital. Court politics can be fatal, but she needs justice. Lastly Kaden, heir to the empire, studies in a remote monastery. Here, the Blank God's disciples teach their harsh ways, which Kaden must master to unlock ancient powers. But when an imperial delegation arrives, has he learnt enough to keep him alive, as long-hidden powers make their move? 'A vividly imagined story of conspiracy and empire' - Col Buchanan The Emperor's Blades is the first novel in Brain Staveley's epic Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne series.

Brian is the author of the award-winning fantasy trilogy, The Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, which has been translated into a dozen languages worldwide, The Ashes of the Unhewn Throne trilogy, and Skullsworn, a stand-alone novel set in the same world. After teaching literature, philosophy, history, and religion for more than a decade, Brian began writing fiction. He now lives on a steep dirt road in the mountains of southern Vermont, where he divides his time between fathering, writing, mountain biking, splitting wood, skiing, and adventuring, not necessarily in that order.

An enchanting union of old and new, Staveley's debut will keep you turning pages late into the night -- Pierce Brown A vividly imagined story of conspiracy and empire -- Col Buchanan A richly imagined world and vibrant characters . . . an exhilarating adventure -- Elspeth Cooper A complex and fast-moving fantasy set in a world where treachery and intrigue are everywhere, accomplished through ferocious brutality, subtle intrigues, and everything in between -- L. E. Modesitt, Jr. Well-written and fat with promise, and we look forward to book two -- SFX He's constructed a fantastic and compelling fantasy world and has started an interesting story that rests on the strengths of its characters. He's proven to be an excellent author, and he's set up a compelling narrative -- Io9 Brian Staveley does true justice to the term fantasy with his The Emperor's Blades . . . It has everything that you seek when you read an epic fantasy story, from great, relatable characters all throughout the solid storyline, interesting environments and a lot of pretty darn cool action! -- TheBookPlank If you love traditional epic fantasy, but would like to see a more updated version, then The Emperor's Blades is a book you'll want to read -- AFantasticalLibrarian A blistering narrative and keen sense of both action and wonder . . . Brian Stavely is one to watch and if you enjoy epic fantasy I think that The Emperor's Blades is definitely worth checking out -- KingoftheNerds Very readable, hard to put down, and flat-out entertaining -- Nethspace An amazing debut . . . Highly recommended -- SpeculativeBookReview Really great writing, tight world building, and complex characters. Truly, the author is on to something special with this series and I can't wait for it to continue -- AgelessPagesReviews This was a book that reminded me, in different ways . . . of Brandon Sanderson and Patrick Rothfuss. It managed to feel fresh and original, yet familiar at the same time . . . This is epic fantasy for a new generation, gritty and grim at times, but never losing sight of the awe and the wonder -- BeautyinRuins This book made my heart happy. If you like fantasy it will probably make yours happy as well -- BetweenthePages A well-imagined tale rife with violence and Machiavellian scheming that hits all the right notes -- FantasySmorgasbord I cannot wait to read the sequel . . . Fans of epic fantasy novels featuring conspiracies and fighting for the throne will enjoy reading it -- BookwormDreams