The Emperor's Knife: Book One of the Tower and Knife Trilogy: 1 - Softcover

Williams, Mazarkis

3.3

2,034 ratings by Goodreads

9781597804028: The Emperor's Knife: Book One of the Tower and Knife Trilogy: 1

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1597804029 ISBN 13: 9781597804028

Publisher: Night Shade Books, 2012

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There is a cancer at the heart of the mighty Cerani Empire: a plague that attacks young and old, rich and poor alike. Geometric patterns spread across the skin, until you die in agony, or become a Carrier, doing the bidding of an evil intelligence, the Pattern Master. Anyone showing the tell-tale marks is put to death; that is Emperor Beyon's law...but now the pattern is running over the Emperor's own arms. His body servants have been executed, he ignores his wives, but he is doomed, for soon the pattern will reach his face. While Beyon's agents scour the land for a cure, Sarmin, the Emperor's only surviving brother, awaits his bride, Mesema, a windreader from the northern plains. Unused to the Imperial Court's stifling protocols and deadly intrigues, Mesema has no one to turn to but an aging imperial assassin, the Emperor's Knife.

As long-planned conspiracies boil over into open violence, the invincible Pattern Master appears from the deep desert. Only three people stand in his way: a lost prince, a world-weary killer, and a young girl from the steppes who once saw a path in a pattern — a path that might save them all.

Skyhorse Publishing, under our Night Shade and Talos imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of titles for readers interested in science fiction (space opera, time travel, hard SF, alien invasion, near-future dystopia), fantasy (grimdark, sword and sorcery, contemporary urban fantasy, steampunk, alternative history), and horror (zombies, vampires, and the occult and supernatural), and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller, a national bestseller, or a Hugo or Nebula award-winner, we are committed to publishing quality books from a diverse group of authors.

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Review:

'A fascinating, original and enthralling d�but that will leave the reader eagerly awaiting the next instalment' The Founding Fields. (Founding Fields)

'A riveting and intense debut ... compelling characterizations will keep fans of grim fantasy entirely enthralled' Publisher's Weekly. (Publisher's Weekly)

'An ambitious debut novel ... demonstrates great deal of promise in its author' Justin Landon, Staffer's Musings. (Staffer's Musings)

A must read - it's fresh, it's exciting and [...] looks set to get even better!' Fantasy Faction. (Fantasy Faction)

A debut with great potential' Stefan Fergus, Civilian Reader. (Civilian Reader)

'A strong fantasy novel with a fresh setting, rich characters and an enjoyable storyline' Adam Whitehead, The Wertzone. (Wertzone)

An ambitious, sophisticated and thoughtful debut novel' SF Signal. (SF Signal)

''Fans of fantasy intrigue will want to try this new author' Library Journal. (Library Journal)

'It makes for a rich and entertaining storytelling environment, and Williams creates a twisty and enjoyable tale ... this is strongly recommended' SFX. (SFX)

'It's a highly complex novel, filled with devious sub-plots, and enough twists to satisfy even the most demanding reader' Popcorn Reads. (Popcorn Reads)

''Mazarkis Williams ... immediately ranks among the year's most exciting new fantasy authors' Fantasy Book Critic. (Fantasy Book Critic)

'Replete with political intrigue and mystery, The Emperor's Knife is a story I will remember' Tim's Book Reviews. (Tim's Book Reviews)

'Some wonderfully imaginative ideas that will [...] keep you reading' Book Monkey. (Book Monkey)

'sophisticated and thoughtful' SF signal. (SF signal)

'The Emperor's Knife is a tale of fear and fluidity, of evolution and ego, and is one that is dictated in a style so visual and penetrating that it will have the Pattern invading your dreams long after the final pages have turned' Fantasy Book Review. (Fantasy Book Review)

'The Emperor's Knife is a well-crafted narrative . The story flows well and the writing strikes a great balance between description and action' British Fantasy Journal. (British Fantasy Journal)

'This amazing tale of magic and political scheming is a work of high fantasy in every way ... A grown-up and utterly brilliantly well-wrought epic fantasy' Ranting Dragon. (Ranting Dragon)

''This novel puts great writing to the service of vivid characters, a compelling plot and a wholly convincing fantasy world' Ben Aaronovitch. (Ben Aaronovitch)

Book Description:

Mazarkis Williams, pseudonym for a Sunday Times bestselling author and a critically acclaimed American writer, have written this 'compelling and wholly convincing fantasy' Ben Aaronovitch, author of The Rivers of London, a 'riveting and intense novel which will keep fans of grim fantasy entirely enthralled' Publishers Weekly, perfect for fans of Mark Lawrence and Brandon Sanderson.

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