***Look out for The Bone Ships, the start of a new fantasy series by RJ Barker!***

'Age of Assassins reveals its mysteries with the style of a magic show and the artful grace of a gifted storyteller' Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld

TO CATCH AN ASSASSIN, USE AN ASSASSIN...

Girton Club-Foot, apprentice to the land's best assassin, still has much to learn about the art of taking lives. But his latest mission tasks Girton and his master with a far more difficult challenge: to save a life. Someone, or many someones, is trying to kill the heir to the throne, and it is up to Girton and his master to uncover the traitor and prevent the prince's murder.
In a kingdom on the brink of civil war and a castle thick with lies Girton finds friends he never expected, responsibilities he never wanted, and a conspiracy that could destroy an entire land.

***SHORTLISTED FOR THE DAVID GEMMELL AWARDS 2018***
***SHORTLISTED FOR THE KITSCHIE AWARDS 2018***

'Dead gods, dread magic, and a lead that feels like a breath of fresh air. Great fun' Peter Newman, author of The Vagrant

'Outstanding. Beautifully written, perfectly paced and assured. Kept me reading well into the early hours of the morning. A wonderful first book - a wonderful book, period - that should be at the very top of your to-read list' James Islington, author of The Shadow of what was Lost

'Simply unputdownable . . . the perfect mix of fantasy and mystery' Fantasy Book Review

'With an original, immersive world that wouldn't let me go and a pair of assassins worth rooting for, Age of Assassins is a pleasure to read. I can't wait for more!' Melissa Caruso, author of The Tethered Mage

'A dark-humored game of cat and mouse between assassins, with traitors on all sides' David Dalglish, author of the Shadowdance series

'Age of Assassins builds a compelling fantasy world and peoples it with characters you can care about. Riddled with intrigue and dangerous magic, this is a hugely enjoyable debut' Jen Williams, author of The Copper Promise

'Age of Assassins is a beguiling story of action and intrigue combined with a poignancy and humour that are as sharp as any blade' Jon Skovron, author of Hope and Red

'Compellingly complex political intrigue and steel-sparking action sequences leavened by warm humour and genuine emotional depth' Chris Brookmyre, author of the Jack Parlabane novels

The Wounded Kingdom trilogy begins with AGE OF ASSASSINS, continues with BLOOD OF ASSASSINS and will continue with KING OF ASSASSINS.

About the Author
RJ Barker lives in Leeds with his wife, son and 'a collection of questionable taxidermy'. He grew up reading whatever he could get his hands on, and having played in a rock band before deciding he was a rubbish musician, RJ returned to his first love, fiction, to find he is rather better at that. As well as his debut epic fantasy series, the Wounded Kingdom trilogy (Age of Assassins, Blood of Assassins and King of Assassins) RJ has written short stories and historical scripts which have been performed across the country. He has the sort of flowing locks any cavalier would be proud of. RJ's novel The Bone Ships is the winner of the British Fantasy Society's Best Novel, aka the Robert Holdstock Award.

Reviews
Often poignant and always intriguing, Age of Assassins reveals its mysteries with the style of a magic show and the artful grace of a gifted storyteller -- Nicholas Eames, author of KINGS OF THE WYLD
A bright new fantasy, original, heartfelt and tragic in turns -- Adrian Tchaikovsky
Dead gods, dread magic, and a lead that feels like a breath of fresh air. Great fun -- Peter Newman, author of THE VAGRANT
Outstanding. Beautifully written, perfectly paced and assured. Kept me reading well into the early hours of the morning. A wonderful first book - a wonderful book, period - that should be at the very top of your to-read list -- James Islington, author of THE SHADOW OF WHAT WAS LOST
Age of Assassins builds a compelling fantasy world and peoples it with characters you can care about. Riddled with intrigue and dangerous magic, this is a hugely enjoyable debut -- Jen Williams, author of THE COPPER PROMISE
Simply unputdownable . . . the perfect mix of fantasy and mystery -- FANTASY BOOK REVIEW
Compellingly complex political intrigue and steel-sparking action sequences leavened by warm humour and genuine emotional depth -- Chris Brookmyre, author of the Jack Parlabane novels
With an original, immersive world that wouldn't let me go and a pair of assassins worth rooting for, Age of Assassins is a pleasure to read. I can't wait for more! -- Melissa Caruso, author of THE TETHERED MAGE
A dark-humoured game of cat and mouse between assassins, with traitors on all sides -- David Dalglish, author of the Shadowdance series
Age of Assassins is a beguiling story of action and intrigue combined with a poignancy and humor that are as sharp as any blade -- Jon Skovron, author of HOPE AND RED


Awards
Short-listed for The Kitschies Golden Tentacle 2018 (UK) and Gemmell Morningstar Award for Fantasy Debut 2018 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9780356508542
Author RJ Barker
Format Paperback
Page Count 432
Imprint Orbit
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 296g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 169mm * 29mm