Amalia Cornaro is learning to live in the political limelight. A Witch Lord pursues her hand in marriage. La Contessa seeks a diplomatic solution to an impending war. And it’s anybody’s guess who can unleash a greater fiery hell on the northern border: Zaira or the ambitious prince of Vaskandar. Can Amalia keep the Empire serene?
The Hadleys are on the run, at the heart of a struggle that is challenging their convictions about who they are. The Jardines are in control of the country, the ruthless Chancellor happy committing atrocities and ruling by fear. But power is a slippery thing, and family can’t be trusted any more than rebels…
Continue reading “Bright Ruin: taking back control of Britain”
Amalia Cornaro is a good-hearted scholar who likes wearing trousers. She’s also the daughter of La Contessa, the most powerful woman in the Empire. And she’s just forged an unbreakable bond with Zaira, the most destructive warlock the Empire has seen in centuries. Life’s about to get complicated…
Continue reading “The Tethered Mage: scorching fantasy debut”
Irene is still working off her superiors’ displeasure for abandoning her assigned world to rescue Kai. The dragons are irritated that she won’t accept their protection to stop it happening again. And the Fae probably want to kill her. But soon they’ll all have bigger things to worry about: Alberich is back – and this time he has his eyes set on the Library itself…
Continue reading “The Burning Page: this time, Alberich means business”
War has been declared. Closely-guarded secrets are being made public. The rules of engagement are battered if not broken. Can Kris summon the Warders’ Circle one last time and broker a peace with Quloo now they have evidence of Mertika’s treachery?
Continue reading “Born to the Blade (1.11): All the Nations of the Sky”
The American government imprisoned Aphra’s people and let them die in the desert, far from the sea. Now they need her help, and have an irresistible offer to make. But can outcasts ever truly win the trust of a government that persecuted them? And can they trust that government in return?
Continue reading “Winter Tide: washing away the worst of Lovecraft”
Ojo lives, but is weak and disoriented after a vicious Rumikan ambush. As Takeshi fights to save his life and limbs, Adechike rushes to take revenge on Kris. Meanwhile, incensed by what she has learned about the sinking of the Rumikan fleet, Michiko confronts Bellona. Twaa Fei’s traditional neutrality is no more. Even the Warders are at war.
Continue reading “Born to the Blade (1.10): Shattered Blades”
We’re entering the final phase of the Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards. After the initial phase of nomination and debate, we ended up with 5 categories and 33 nominees. Now we’re down to the wire after six months of reading, discussing and voting: it’s finalist time. So who has made our final cut?
Continue reading “Subjective Chaos: announcing our 2018 finalists”
Sorlost is the heart of the richest empire in the world: ancient, proud, unconquered. But its self-regard is stronger than its armies. As nobles conspire for power and mercenaries flock to their call, who will prove ruthless enough to seize – and hold – power?
Continue reading “The Court of Broken Knives: poetic grimdark”
With the lowest tier of Twaa Fei on lockdown and rumours running rampant, Kris demands that the Warders’ Circle take action. But the nations are split between those who must follow Mertika’s lead and those who oppose the Empire. Will Mertika come to Rumika’s aid to stymy their ancient rival Quloo?
The Quloi have moved on from intimidating the neutral territory of Twaa Fei to dominating the outlying islands of Rumika. With war seeming inevitable, the first refugees begin fleeing to safety. Can Kris take care of their people and find allies – or will everyone turn their back on the newest member of the Warder’s Circle?
Kellen Argosi is both hunted and hunter – the Jan’Tep want him dead as a shadowblack-cursed traitor, while he is intent on thwarting their nefarious plot to possess the children of their foreign rivals. But Kellen is a 17-year-old with only one trick up his sleeve. You’d be right to think he’s at a disadvantage. Just as well he’s got friends to help him fight his family…
Continue reading “Charmcaster: friends are the family you choose”
