Description
Book SynopsisBlood of the Mantis is the third novel in Adrian Tchaikovsky's richly imagined Shadows of the Apt series, following Dragonfly Falling. Stenwold must rally his allies for battle against the Empire, even as it seeks a dangerous artifact of enormous power.
A dread ritual casts a deadly shadow . . .
Achaeos the seer has finally tracked down the stolen Shadow Box. But he has only days before this magical artefact will be lost to him forever. Meanwhile, the Empire's dread forces are mustering for their next great offensive. Stenwold and his followers have only a short time to gather allies, before the enemy's soldiers march again – to conquer everything in their path. If Stenwold cannot hold them back, the hated black and gold flag will fly over every city in the Lowlands before the year's end.
Yet a more insidious threat awaits. Should the Shadow Box fall into the hands of the power-mad Emperor, nothing will save the world from his relentless ambition.
Blood of the Mantis is followed by Salute the Dark, the fourth book in the Shadows of the Apt series.
Trade ReviewBrimming with imagination --
SciFiNowThe Shadows of the Apt series is
simply one of the best epic fantasy series out there --
LEC Book ReviewsSuper worldbuilding, great characters and
extreme inventiveness --
Fantasy Book CriticEpic fantasy at its best. Gripping, original and multi-layered storytelling from a writer bursting with lots of fascinating ideas --
Walker of WorldsFull of sparking, speculative innovation -- Stephen Baxter on
The Doors of EdenBreathtaking scope and vision.
Adrian Tchaikovsky is one of our finest writers -- Gareth Powell on
Children of RuinA joy from start to finish.
Entertaining, smart, surprising and unexpectedly human -- Patrick Ness on
Children of Time
