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The Court of Broken Knives
(2017)(The first book in the Empires of Dust series)
A novel by Anna Smith-Spark
2018 British Fantasy Award for Best Fantasy Novel (nominee)
"Gritty and glorious" this grimdark fantasy featuring the overthrow of a rival kingdom and a secret prince ready to claim the throne is a "great read" (Miles Cameron, author of The Traitor Son cycle)
It is the richest empire the world has ever known, and it is also doomed—but only one man can see it.
Haunted by prophetic dreams, Orhan has hired a company of soldiers to cross the desert to reach the capital city. Once they enter the palace, they have one mission: kill the emperor, then all those who remain. Only from the ashes can a new empire be built.
The company is a group of good, ordinary soldiers for whom this is a mission like any other. But the strange boy Marith who walks among them is no ordinary soldier. Though he is young, ambitious, and impossibly charming, something dark hides in Marith's past—and in his blood.
Dive into this new fantasy series for readers looking for epic battle scenes, gritty heroes, and blood-soaked revenge.
"It's a bold experiment and feels like something new. An interesting book to read and fascinating to discuss afterwards!" ―Mark Lawrence, international bestselling author of The Book that Broke the World
"Anna Smith Spark is a dynamic new voice in the field of grimly baroque fantasy." ―Scott Lynch, international bestselling author of The Lies of Locke Lamora
"Fierce, gripping fantasy, exquisitely written; bitter, funny, and heart-rending by turns." ―Adrian Tchaikovsky, Arthur C. Clarke Award winner for Children of Time
"Spark's gripping debut is definitely one to read and prize."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Should appeal to grim dark fans looking for the extreme edge." ''Kirkus Reviews
Genre: Fantasy
It is the richest empire the world has ever known, and it is also doomed—but only one man can see it.
Haunted by prophetic dreams, Orhan has hired a company of soldiers to cross the desert to reach the capital city. Once they enter the palace, they have one mission: kill the emperor, then all those who remain. Only from the ashes can a new empire be built.
The company is a group of good, ordinary soldiers for whom this is a mission like any other. But the strange boy Marith who walks among them is no ordinary soldier. Though he is young, ambitious, and impossibly charming, something dark hides in Marith's past—and in his blood.
Dive into this new fantasy series for readers looking for epic battle scenes, gritty heroes, and blood-soaked revenge.
"It's a bold experiment and feels like something new. An interesting book to read and fascinating to discuss afterwards!" ―Mark Lawrence, international bestselling author of The Book that Broke the World
"Anna Smith Spark is a dynamic new voice in the field of grimly baroque fantasy." ―Scott Lynch, international bestselling author of The Lies of Locke Lamora
"Fierce, gripping fantasy, exquisitely written; bitter, funny, and heart-rending by turns." ―Adrian Tchaikovsky, Arthur C. Clarke Award winner for Children of Time
"Spark's gripping debut is definitely one to read and prize."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Should appeal to grim dark fans looking for the extreme edge." ''Kirkus Reviews
Genre: Fantasy
Praise for this book
"Anna Smith Spark is a dynamic new voice in the field of grimly baroque fantasy, a knowing and witty provisioner of the Grand Guignol, a cheerful undertaker strolling across the graveyard and beckoning you to admire her newest additions." - Scott Lynch
"Grim, gritty and fast paced, with great battle scenes! Anna Smith-Spark is one to watch." - Andy Remic
"Fierce, gripping fantasy, exquisitely written; bitter, funny and heart-rending by turns." - Adrian Tchaikovsky
"Grim, gritty and fast paced, with great battle scenes! Anna Smith-Spark is one to watch." - Andy Remic
"Fierce, gripping fantasy, exquisitely written; bitter, funny and heart-rending by turns." - Adrian Tchaikovsky
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