Author: Madson, Devin

Fantasy

Published on 29 August 2024 by Little, Brown Book Group (Orbit) in the United Kingdom as part of 'The Shattered Kingdom' series.

Paperback / softback | 480 pages
196 x 128 x 31 | 322g

'Wildly inventive - a world of glass and magic, filled with characters who each hold their own breathtaking secrets. Shifting alliances, revelations and relationships full of love and lust make this a compelling read' Andrea Stewart, author of The Bone Shard DaughterThree people in a shattered empire become entangled in a looming revolution in this sweeping epic fantasy full of dragons, alchemical magic, political scheming and forbidden romance.

Conquest built the Celes Basin. But when enemies once more threaten its borders, the Lord Reacher declares himself supreme ruler to enforce unity. Old angers erupt, threatening to tear the basin apart from within.

Tesha, a glassblower's apprentice, becomes a tribute bride as part of a desperate political plot. In the Reacher's court, she's perfectly placed to sabotage him, but her heart has other plans.

Naili is laundress to an eccentric alchemist, a job that has left her with strange new abilities that are slowly consuming her - and attracting the notice of the city's underground rulers. With time running out, she'll have to gain power by any means if she wants to survive, let alone change the world.

And in the desolate Shield Mountains, sharp-shooting dragon rider Ashadi protects the basin from the monsters of the Sands beyond, but when an impossible shot pierces his dragon's glass scales, he becomes the hunted one.

As chaos sweeps across the land, Tesha, Naili, and Ashadi must fight to survive political enemies, long-buried secrets, and monsters both within and without.

Praise for Devin Madson:'Madson hooked me into this layered, fascinating world of sand and glass, poisons and plant magic, politics and secrets, and didn't let go. Brilliantly clever and inventive'Sam Hawke, author of City of Lies'This is a tale that hits all the right spots. Imaginative world-building, a pace that builds perfectly to a heart-pounding finale and captivating, believable characters. There's a lot to love here. Highly recommended' John Gwynn on We Ride the Storm'Breathtakingly triumphant . . . it has become one of my favourite books of all time . . . a gripping, evocative hurricane of emotions that constantly took my breath away' Petrik Leo on We Ride the Storm