How to Rule an Empire and Get Away with It

by K. J. Parker

Overview

"Full of invention and ingenuity . . . Great fun." - SFX on Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City


This is the history of how the City was saved, by Notker the professional liar, written down because eventually the truth always seeps through.



The City may be under siege, but everyone still has to make a living. Take Notker, the acclaimed playwright, actor, and impresario. Nobody works harder, even when he's not working. Thankfully, it turns out that people enjoy the theater just as much when there are big rocks falling out of the sky.


But Notker is a man of many talents, and all the world is, apparently, a stage. It seems that the empire needs him — or someone who looks a lot like him — for a role that will call for the performance of a lifetime. At least it will guarantee fame, fortune, and immortality. If it doesn't kill him first.


In the follow up to the acclaimed Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City, K. J. Parker has created one of fantasy's greatest heroes, and he might even get away with it.


For more from K. J. Parker, check out:
Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City


The Two of Swords
The Two of Swords: Volume One
The Two of Swords Volume Two
The Two of Swords: Volume Three


The Fencer Trilogy
Colours in the Steel
The Belly of the Bow
The Proof House


The Scavenger Trilogy
Shadow
Pattern
Memory


Engineer Trilogy
Devices and Desires
Evil for Evil
The Escapement
The Company
The Folding Knife
The Hammer
Sharps

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316498678
Publisher:	Orbit
Publication date:	08/18/2020
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	140,460
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

K.J. Parker is a pseudonym for Tom Holt. He was born in London in 1961. At Oxford he studied bar billiards, ancient Greek agriculture and the care and feeding of small, temperamental Japanese motorcycle engines; interests which led him, perhaps inevitably, to qualify as a solicitor and emigrate to Somerset, where he specialized in death and taxes for seven years before going straight in 1995. He lives in Chard, Somerset, with his wife and daughter.

Editorial Reviews

05/04/2020

Parker overlays a military fantasy with a comedy of mistaken identity in this fun, standalone return to the Roman Empire–inspired world of Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City. Notker, a jobbing actor and playwright, is known around the City for his uncanny impersonations of notable bigwigs. When venerated war hero Lysimachus is killed by an enemy trebuchet, a trio of influential conspirators coerce Notker into impersonating him to keep public morale up amid an ongoing siege. As it happens, Lysimachus was bedding Notker’s old flame and fellow thespian, Hodda, who is also roped into the ruse. As the pair becomes increasingly tangled in a web of lies, the unknowing Senate appoints Lysimachus as Emperor, expecting him to lead the war against ruthless King Ogus and his hordes of warriors. Parker front-loads this entertaining yarn with his best jokes and set pieces, leaving the final act to settle into by-the-numbers battle strategy. Still, with Notker possessing all the charm, wit, and resourcefulness of a Shakespearean fool, readers are ensured a good time and a barrel of laughs to boot. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

"Parker's latest epic fantasy proves that all the world is, indeed, a stage, and Parker himself is a master impresario. Readers will enjoy his comedic take on how politics are comprised of equal parts lies, incompetence, and the foolishness of humanity-with just enough flashes of brilliance to save the day. Recommended for fans of Terry Pratchett."—Library Journal

"Readers are ensured a good time and a barrel of laughs to boot."—Publishers Weekly

"Full of invention and ingenuity . . . Great fun."—SFX on Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City

"Launches a witty adventure series . . . Readers will appreciate the infusion of humor and fun-loving characters into this vivid and sometimes grim fantasy world."—Publishers Weekly on Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City

"As with most of Parker's work, there is a mel­ancholy undercurrent that gives the humor weight. As heroes go, Orhan is a reluctant and flawed one . . . . [but] when Orhan works the problem, we can't help but watch."—Locus on Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City

"Parker's acerbic wit and knowledge of human nature are a delight to read as he explores the way conflict is guided, in equal measure, by the brilliance and unerring foolishness of humanity . . . . Thoroughly engaging."—RT Books Reviews on The Two of Swords: Volume One

"[Sharps] is a ripping good adventure yarn, laced with frequent barbed witticisms and ace sword fighting... Parker's settings and characterizations never miss a beat, and the intricate political interplay of intrigue is suspenseful almost to the last page."—Publishers Weekly on Sharps

"This is another splendid offering from K.J. Parker, the (pseudonymous) British fantasist who seems incapable of writing in anything but top form."—Locus on Sharps

"Well-crafted, powerful and downright unmissable"—SFX on The Company

"Brilliant."—Locus on The Engineer Trilogy

"Parker carries the reader on a headlong gallop to the powerful conclusion."—Publishers Weekly on The Company (starred review)

"Skillful plotting and rich scene-setting."—Guardian on The Company

"A richly textured and emotionally complex fantasy...Highly recommended."—Library Journal on The Engineer Trilogy (starred review)

"Astonishingly good."—RT Book Reviews on Sharps

"Parker's skillful control of pacing, expert rendering of characters, and subtle sense of humor add depth and believability."—Library Journal on Sharps

"An intriguing tale of magic, manipulation and revenge . . . An action-packed adventure."—Starburst on the Fencer trilogy

From the Publisher

07/01/2020

The city of Classis is under siege, but since it has been for the past seven years, none of the citizens pay much attention anymore, despite the large rocks that are periodically lobbed over the city walls. When Classis' most beloved personage, Lysimachus, is killed by one of those rocks, the government is quick to cover it up, but now they're faced with a problem. Lysimachus, savior of the city, can't die. Enter Notker, playwright, actor, and self-professed liar, whose specialty is playing Lysimachus. Notker is convinced by government officials that it is in his best interest to continue his impersonation of the famed hero, albeit on a much larger stage. Notker's greatest role will offer him fame, fortune, and the opportunity to save Classis—if it doesn't kill him first. VERDICT Parker's (Sixteen Ways To Defend a Walled City) latest epic fantasy proves that all the world is, indeed, a stage, and Parker himself is a master impresario. Readers will enjoy his comedic take on how politics are comprised of equal parts lies, incompetence, and the foolishness of humanity—with just enough flashes of brilliance to save the day. Recommended for fans of Terry Pratchett and Mary Gentle's Grunts.—Elisabeth Clark, West Florida P.L., Pensacola

Library Journal

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