Empire in Black and Gold

· Shadows of the Apt Book 1 · Pan Macmillan
4.2
43 reviews
Ebook
624
Pages
Eligible
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About this ebook

Empire in Black and Gold is the first instalment in the critically-acclaimed epic fantasy series Shadows of the Apt from the award-winning author of Children of Time, 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.

Ratings and reviews

4.2
43 reviews
A Google user
December 3, 2016
Fantasy and technology collide. I love the way the older characters are written with such sensitivity, yearning and insight. Romps along too.
2 people found this review helpful
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Kevin Ure
May 23, 2016
Good characters and great story really draw you into this world. Looking forward to reading further books in the series.
1 person found this review helpful
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Richard Drozd
November 19, 2014
They may be an odd concept but I've not read a book where I care about the characters so much. Give this book a chance
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About the author

Adrian Tchaikovsky was born in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, and headed off to university in Reading to study psychology and zoology. For reasons unclear even to himself, he subsequently ended up in law. Adrian has since worked as a legal executive in both Reading and Leeds and now writes full time. He also lives in Leeds, with his wife and son. Adrian is a keen live role-player and occasional amateur actor. He has also trained in stage-fighting and keeps no exotic or dangerous pets of any kind – possibly excepting his son.

Adrian is the author of the critically acclaimed Shadows of the Apt series, the Echoes of the Fall series and other novels, novellas and short stories. The Tiger and the Wolf won the British Fantasy Award for Best Fantasy Novel – and Children of Time won the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Best Science Fiction Novel. This was in the award’s thirtieth anniversary year.

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