Skullsworn

by Brian Staveley Narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden

Overview

Brian Staveley's new standalone returns to the critically acclaimed Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne universe, following a priestess-assassin for the God of Death

“Brilliant.”-V. E. Schwab, New York Times bestselling author

From the award-winning epic fantasy world of The Emperor's Blades...

Pyrre Lakatur is not, to her mind, an assassin, not a murderer-she is a priestess. At least, she will be once she passes her final trial.

The problem isn't the killing. The problem, rather, is love. For to complete her trial, Pyrre has ten days to kill the seven people enumerated in an ancient song, including “the one who made your mind and body sing with love / who will not come again.”

Pyrre isn't sure she's ever been in love. And if she fails to find someone who can draw such passion from her, or fails to kill that someone, her order will give her to their god, the God of Death. Pyrre's not afraid to die, but she hates to fail, and so, as her trial is set to begin, she returns to the city of her birth in the hope of finding love . . . and ending it on the edge of her sword.

""A complex and richly detailed world filled with elite soldier-assassins, mystic warrior monks, serpentine politics, and ancient secrets.""-Library Journal, starred review, on The Emperor's Blades

Editorial Reviews

MARCH 2018 - AudioFile

Narrator Elizabeth Knowelden doesn’t shy away from the explicit sex scenes or assassinations that fill this audiobook. A prequel to the Unhewn Trilogy, it tells the tale of the final test that Pyrre Lakatur must complete to become a priestess for Ananshael—the god of death. One of two witnesses for the two-week test of assassinations is a self-proclaimed sex addict, Ela, whom Knowelden portrays as a sultry woman who enjoys life. Knowelden showcases Ela’s sense of humor, in contrast to the more serious Pyrre. The other witness she accurately portrays as bit of a curmudgeon. Knowelden varies her pace to showcase the three characters’ relationships, taking full advantage of the dialogue among them. J.E.M. 2018 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

From the Publisher

A lyrical, bloodsoaked, impossible quest that's sure to entertain.”—Kevin Hearne, New York Times bestselling author

“Staveley has quickly become one of my favorite fantasy authors, and his latest doesn't disappoint. Skullsworn is a brilliant new chapter in a fabulous series." —V. E. Schwab, New York Times bestselling author

“A warm, funny, character-focused novel which is also darkly charming, bloody, and lethal. It was very, very hard to put down, and had an emotional punch to match its high adrenaline moments.” —Sci Fi and Fantasy Reviews

“Entertaining and well-told.” —Booklist

“Lush, evocative descriptions sharpen the setting, which recalls Southeast Asia. Visceral action scenes and memorable characters bring this tale to life.” —Publishers Weekly

“A stunning prequel that actually lives up to the original trilogy's legacy […] Staveley has proven himself to be a master ofworld-building, character development, and sheer storytelling.” —Beauty in Ruins

“Pleasantly grim and emotionally complex.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Full of surprises […} more inventive and grisly than I could have imagined.” —Fantasy Faction, 9/10 stars

“A highly engrossing fantasy world […] amazing characters.?”—Fantasy Book Review

“Intricately plotted and masterfully told” –The Alliterates

“Perfectly bleak… brilliantly enjoyable” –Rapture in Books

“Do yourself a favor: read Skullsworn.You won’t regret it.” –GrimdarkMAGAZINE

“Highly recommended, especially for fans of female characters that like to kick ass and not follow the rules.” –The Speculative Herald

“Engrossing…” –SFRevu

“A great read with tons of action and humor… I loved it.” –The Blogin’ Hobgoblin

“Staggeringly wonderful” –Bookish Things

“Excellent characters… great world-building…fabulous fight scenes… an excellent book” –SciFi Fan Letter

“An outstanding novel on every level.” –TheBibliosanctum

“A must for fantasy fans” –Books of All Kinds

“A fantastic standalone book with a very satisfying conclusion – well thought out and written incredibly well.” —The Bookbag

“Intricately plotted and masterfully told.” —The Alliterates

MARCH 2018 - AudioFile

Narrator Elizabeth Knowelden doesn’t shy away from the explicit sex scenes or assassinations that fill this audiobook. A prequel to the Unhewn Trilogy, it tells the tale of the final test that Pyrre Lakatur must complete to become a priestess for Ananshael—the god of death. One of two witnesses for the two-week test of assassinations is a self-proclaimed sex addict, Ela, whom Knowelden portrays as a sultry woman who enjoys life. Knowelden showcases Ela’s sense of humor, in contrast to the more serious Pyrre. The other witness she accurately portrays as bit of a curmudgeon. Knowelden varies her pace to showcase the three characters’ relationships, taking full advantage of the dialogue among them. J.E.M. 2018 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

2017-02-21
The beautiful, enigmatic assassin Pyrre, a supporting character in the Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne (The Last Mortal Bond, 2016, etc.), takes center stage in this prequel to the series.Pyrre is an acolyte of Ananshael, the god of death. To become full priestess, she must kill seven specific types of people, one of whom must be someone "who made [her] mind and body sing with love." Trouble is, Pyrre's never been in love. Her quandary brings her to the conquered city of Dombâng, place of her birth and her desperate, miserable childhood. She hopes that her former lover Ruc Lan Lac, now the commander of the military police known as the Greenshirts, is someone she can truly love and then kill, in accordance with her Trial. But to catch his attention, she'll have to start a revolution. Falling in love isn't easy for Pyrre, but stirring up Dombâng's unrest is surprisingly so. Insurrection is always close to the surface of the barely pacified city, where hidden priests and secret worshippers seek to rouse the Three, the original, deadly gods of the delta who thrive upon blood and sacrifice and who may not be quite as mythical as many think. Pyrre, with her unusual attitude toward life and death, was always one of the most colorful and confusing characters in the original series, and it's both enjoyable and illuminating to observe the development of her personality as the bodies pile higher. Lacking the grand heft of the trilogy, this is a pleasantly grim and emotionally complex divertissement that will give pleasure to fans and tie up some loose ends—and can also be an accessible entree for new readers, who will undoubtedly go on to consume the rest of the series.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169935745
Publisher:	Brilliance Audio
Publication date:	04/25/2017
Edition description:	Unabridged

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