The Providence of Fire (Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne Series #2)

by Brian Staveley

Overview

The Providence of Fire is the second novel in Brian Staveley's Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, a gripping new epic fantasy series

The conspiracy to destroy the ruling family of the Annurian Empire is far from over.

Having learned the identity of her father's assassin, Adare flees the Dawn Palace in search of allies to challenge the coup against her family. Few trust her, but when she is believed to be touched by Intarra, patron goddess of the empire, the people rally to help her retake the capital city. As armies prepare to clash, the threat of invasion from barbarian hordes compels the rival forces to unite against their common enemy.

Unknown to Adare, her brother Valyn, a renegade member of the empire's most elite fighting force, has allied with the invading nomads. The terrible choices each of them has made may make war between them inevitable.

Between Valyn and Adare is their brother Kaden, rightful heir to the Unhewn Throne, who has infiltrated the Annurian capital with the help of two strange companions. The knowledge they possess of the secret history that shapes these events could save Annur or destroy it.

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)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780765336446
Publisher:	Tor Publishing Group
Publication date:	12/08/2015
Series:	Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne Series , #2
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	624
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.30(d)

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.

Editorial Reviews

“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

From the Publisher

★ 2014-12-07
The heirs of the murdered Annurian Emperor Sanlitun take separate paths toward uncovering and defeating the coup that toppled their father in this sequel to The Emperor's Blades (2014). Kaden, the uncrowned emperor tutored as a monk, vainly seeks answers and aid from the Ishien, a vicious cult devoted to defeating the immortal, emotionless Csestriim who are apparently at the heart of the conspiracy. Kaden's younger brother, Valyn, and his band of elite warriors struggle across the steppe toward the imperial seat at Annur, only to encounter a vast army of the nomadic Urghul, seemingly poised to invade. And the dead emperor's eldest, Princess Adare, having discovered the true assassin of her father—the Empire's regent, head general and her lover, Ran il Tornja—attempts to secure her own army, that of the fanatic worshipers of the goddess Intarra. At every juncture, the siblings confront constantly shifting truths concerning why their father died and who deserves their trust. Following in the footsteps of George R.R. Martin, Joe Abercrombie and the like, Staveley doesn't hesitate to treat his protagonists harshly, subjecting them to utter privation and pain, devastating betrayals and the vast uncertainty that results when long-distance communication between potential allies is impossible (ah, for the magical equivalent of a cellphone!). But none of this feels gratuitous; all is in the service of the series plot, which remains gloriously unpredictable, although it's at least clear by the end of this installment that an affectionate reunion among the three imperial siblings has been ruled out. Brutal, intriguing and continuing to head toward exciting events and places unknown.

Kirkus Reviews