“Brutal, intriguing and continuing to head toward exciting events and places unknown.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Epic adventure that ratchets up the action and muddies the waters, all while completely throwing all expectations out the window….We can’t wait to see what happens next.” —io9

“Book Two finishes on a knife-edge and where it goes from here is anyone’s guess.” —Fantasy Faction

“It’s rare that a book comes along and blows my frigging mind. It’s even rarer when an author can pull this off not once, but twice. Brian Staveley pulled this off. Hard.” —Lit Chick Hit List

“Superbly written, sublimely enchanting, utterly engrossing, grabs-you-by-the-throat-and-refuses-to-let-go, and then you’re a shell of a person once you’re finished. Brian Staveley is not only an invaluable new voice to the epic fantasy genre, and the literary world at large, but he’s on his way to being one of the greats.” —The Book Geek

“… a stunning follow-up to The Emperor’s Blades …” —Beauty in Ruins