The Emperor's Blades: Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, Book I

Brian Staveley

Jan 2014 · Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne Book 1 · Sold by Tor Books

About this ebook

In The Emperor's Blades by Brian Staveley, the emperor of Annur is dead, slain by enemies unknown. His daughter and two sons, scattered across the world, do what they must to stay alive and unmask the assassins. But each of them also has a life-path on which their father set them, destinies entangled with both ancient enemies and inscrutable gods.

Kaden, the heir to the Unhewn Throne, has spent eight years sequestered in a remote mountain monastery, learning the enigmatic discipline of monks devoted to the Blank God. Their rituals hold the key to an ancient power he must master before it's too late.

An ocean away, Valyn endures the brutal training of the Kettral, elite soldiers who fly into battle on gigantic black hawks. But before he can set out to save Kaden, Valyn must survive one horrific final test.

At the heart of the empire, Minister Adare, elevated to her station by one of the emperor's final acts, is determined to prove herself to her people. But Adare also believes she knows who murdered her father, and she will stop at nothing—and risk everything—to see that justice is meted out.

Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne
The Emperor's Blades
The Providence of Fire
The Last Mortal Bond

Other books in the world of the Unhewn Throne
Skullsworn (forthcoming)

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Ratings and reviews

I love fantasy and wanted to give this a try. the world building was enjoyable but the plot was absurd. it is more or less a crime noir novel set in a fantasy setting. only the main character are the imperial family. the emperor is assassinated and instead of securing the new emperor and heir apparent the entire emperial government says screw it and actively is allowing the attempted assaination of the rest if the empirical household. the emperor's sent an imperial guard to even protect his younger son and despite the murder of that entire guard they still just shrug snd say. "oh well. sooo... enjoyable world building, horrible plot choices.

I overall thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was full of imagination and intrigue, with a unique setting and unique characters. I couldn't put it down. There's more swearing in it than a public high school, but aside from that it was great. The beginning was slower than I'd hoped, but once I read past that it picked right up.

I rejoice in finding another great author of my favorite genre. If you like your epic fantasy with a side of grit and realism and yet still stay fantastical then buy this book now!

About the author

BRIAN STAVELEY has taught literature, religion, history, and philosophy, and holds an MA in poetry from Boston University. His books, which have been translated into over a dozen languages, include The Empire's Ruin, The Emperor's Blades, The Providence of Fire, The Last Mortal Bond, and Skullsworn. He lives in Vermont and divides his time between running trails, splitting wood, writing, and chasing his son downhill on a mountain bike.