Relics of Ruin

by Erin M Evans

Overview

From a rising star in epic fantasy comes the captivating second novel in a trilogy featuring an unlikely team who must find a way to work together and solve an empire-spanning mystery to defend the last place they call home.

Amadea Gintanas and her archivists solved a brutal murder, dispelling a grave conspiracy against the empire in the process. But danger still looms. When Quill and Richa discover the missing bones of a saint in a roadside shrine, the empire’s fragile equilibrium is put at risk. How this precious relic vanished from its sealed vault is a mystery. The threat posed by this theft is all too clear.
 
The archivists must once again unearth the clues—and quickly. For an old enemy is gathering strength beyond the Salt Wall. And it will not hold him for long.

"Detailed and mysterious, a place to explore and relish. Highly recommended!" ―R. A. Salvatore, author of "The Legends of Drizzt"

For more from Erin M. Evans, check out:

Empire of Exiles

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316441049
Publisher:	Orbit
Publication date:	04/30/2024
Series:	Books of the Usurper , #2
Pages:	480
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 6.10(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Erin M. Evans is the author of seven Forgotten Realms novels for Wizards of the Coast, including the 2011 Scribe Award winner Brimstone Angels. In addition, she is the former editor of the Eberron novel line and has written fiction for the RPGs Shadow of the Demon Lord, Monarchies of Mau, and Aetaltis, as well as dialogue for the MMO TERA. Erin graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in anthropology and currently lives in the Seattle area with her husband and sons.

Editorial Reviews

"Evans skillfully expands the world building while exploring the character depths, with
delightful twists that resolve some conflicts while setting up the next book."
 —Booklist

"Erin Evans can make the reader care deeply about her characters, offering details and anecdotes, quirks and simple gestures to make those characters so very real. But what makes this book special, even by Erin's lofty goalposts, is the world she weaves around these characters. Detailed and mysterious, a place to explore and relish. Highly recommended!" —R. A. Salvatore, author of "The Legends of Drizzt" and DemonsWars novels on Empire of Exiles

“Empire of Exiles has it all: characters I love, intertwined compelling mysteries in the past and present, plot twists that keep coming, and a unique and fascinating world and magic system!" —Melissa Caruso, author of The Obsidian Tower on Empire of Exiles

“The beginning of a truly epic tale. Deft worldbuilding and wonderful verbal fencing that is a delight to read. In these pages, you are in the hands of a master.”—Ed Greenwood, creator of the Forgotten Realms and internationally bestselling author on Empire of Exiles

"Readers will be drawn in by the memorable cast, vibrantly drawn fantasy cultures, and vivid prose. Epic fantasy fans will be eager to see where the series goes."—Publishers Weekly on Empire of Exiles

“Beautifully wrought and equally ensnaring, this book lived up to and then surpassed all my expectations.”—Cat Rambo, author of You Sexy Thing on Empire of Exiles

“Splendid world building, compelling mysteries and characters, and a fascinating magic system. Erin Evans delivers the goods.”—Howard Jones, author of For the Killing of Kings on Empire of Exiles

From the Publisher

02/01/2024

This strong sequel to Empire of Exiles picks up shortly after the events of that book's tumultuous ending and follows the same cast of characters. Quill is learning to navigate his new job at the Archives when he and Richa stumble upon another murder, which ultimately leads them to discover the bones of a saint. Baffled that a relic could disappear from the Archives without them knowing of it, they turn to Amadea for help. Matters are further complicated when they realize that Tunuk, their brooding bone specialist, is clearly hiding something. This is as much an epic fantasy novel as it is an intricately plotted, multilayered murder mystery, and the intrigue reads like a delicate dance between all the characters. They are a sympathetic group of people whose pasts are determined to come back to haunt them, upping the stakes as they pick apart a grand puzzle that jeopardizes the safety of the empire. VERDICT The strengths of the first book continue in the second of Evans's "Books of the Usurper" series, with sophisticated prose, a richly detailed world, a clandestine and conspiratorial atmosphere, and fascinating elemental magic. Great for fans of Richard Swan.—Andrea Dyba

Library Journal