Praise for Hollow Empire
“This is a political epic done right.” —Publishers Weekly
“The second of the “Poison War” series (after City of Lies) raises the stakes with a plot of thrilling suspense and characters who are dynamic. Readers will be clamoring for the next book in the series.” —Library Journal (starred review)
“A gripping tale that blends magic and conspiracy, poison and suspicion, love and hatred. Sam Hawke makes you fall in love with her characters and then tortures you by casting them into unrelenting, page-turning peril.” —RJ Theodore, author of Peridot Shift
“Wonderful, emotional, and satisfying...Hollow Empire is one of the best books published this year, and it’s easily one of the best sequels I’ve ever read.” —Novel Notions
Praise for the Poison Wars
“Hawke’s exemplary prose thrusts readers directly into the action, both physical and magical, building tension and excitement until the final pages.”—Library Journal (starred review)
“Utterly brilliant...The Poison Wars novels contain some of the best worldbuilding I've ever read, a wonderful sibling bond unlike anything in fantasy, all wrapped together in a mystery I couldn't put down. Highly recommend!”—Shannon Chakraborty, author of the critically acclaimed Daevabad Trilogy
“Filled with twisty politics and powerful magic, Hollow Empire is an explosive sequel, a truly potent story filled with everything that makes fantasy great.”—Devin Madson, author of We Ride the Storm
Praise for City of Lies
WINNER of the Ditmar Awards for Best Novel and Best New Talent, the Norma K Hemming Award, and the Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel!
"A tale of poisoners, deceit and treachery that will surely keep readers entranced. I don’t read many stories as twisty and unpredictable, especially in the latter chapters, as this one, and I loved what Sam Hawke did."—Terry Brooks
"If the first line doesn’t make you buy this book, you should turn in your fantasy-lover’s badge. City of Lies got me through sitting seven hours in an airport, and proves that a tale about the one who risks his life to thwart assassins can be as compelling as any assassin’s tale."—Robin Hobb
"Sibling protagonists anchor this twisty story of old grievances coming to a boil. Hawke writes with nuance about the loves, loyalties, ambitions, and resentments that bind her characters together and threaten to tear them apart."—Kate Elliott
"Absolutely loved this; the world building is brilliant, the mystery and crime elements merge seamlessly into a fantastical world of poisoners, warrior-guilds and ancient magic. But the heart of the story is the central characters, they’re written with such depth, flawed, human and likeable. City of Lies is a wonderful read and one that I'd highly recommend to all lovers of fantasy."—John Gwynne
"An enormously enjoyable read, one of the best new fantasies I’ve seen in a long time."—Adrian Tchaikovsky
“A compelling fantasy whodunit—imagine Agatha Christie channelled through Robin Hobb—and a page-turning coming-of-age tale.”—The Guardian
"A well-crafted debut with believable political intrigues, solid worldbuilding, and original characters."—Kirkus
"This epic fantasy debut weaves political, class, and belief systems into a deftly drawn world."—School Library Journal
"Colorful and exciting."—Publishers Weekly
★ 10/01/2020
The city-state of Silasta is still recovering from the awakening of the gods, and hope to use their karodee to celebrate and bring together some diplomatic ties. Jovan is training his heir, convinced there are still some who are trying to kill his dearest friend. His attempts to ferret them out are stymied by an imperious council and a bold setup placing him at the center of drugs and murder. His sister Kalina tries to navigate a possible ambassador position, but is blocked by a Talafan prince who does not believe women should have any power, although his women seem to have more than their share. Simmering hostilities about the magical Darfi threaten to boil over once again; it's up to Jovan and Kalina to discover the truth and save their loved ones and country once again. But at what cost? Hawke's exemplary prose thrusts readers directly into the action, both physical and magical, building tension and excitement until the final pages. VERDICT The second of the "Poison War" series (after City of Lies) raises the stakes with a plot of thrilling suspense and characters who are dynamic. Readers will be clamoring for the next book in the series.—Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton
