Description
Book SynopsisEmpire in Black and Gold is the first instalment in the critically-acclaimed epic fantasy series Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky.
The days of peace are over . . .
The Lowlands’ city states have lived in peace for decades, hailed as bastions of civilization. Yet that peace is about to end. A distant empire has been conquering neighbours with highly trained soldiers and sophisticated combat techniques. And the city states are its desirable new prize.
Only the ageing Stenwold Maker – spymaster, artificer and statesman – foresees the threat, as the empires’ armies march ever closer. So it falls upon his shoulders to open the eyes of the cities’ leaders. He sees that war will sweep through their lands, destroying everything in its path.
But to warn his people, he must stay alive.
Empire in Black and Gold is followed by the second book in the Shadows of the Apt series, Dragonfly Falling.
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
