Only a forgotten prince and a girl from the grasslands can stop the Patttern Master in this 'compelling and wholly convincing fantasy' (Ben Aaronovitch, author of The Rivers of London). Written under a pseudonym by a Sunday Times bestselling author and a critically acclaimed writer, this 'riveting and intense novel' (Publishers Weekly) is perfect for fans of Mark Lawrence and Brandon Sanderson.

There is a cancer at the heart of the mighty Cerani empire: a plague that first marks its victims, then covers their skin in geometric patterns until they die in agony - or are subsumed, their bodies now in thrall to the Pattern Master. Emperor Beyon's law is that any hint of the pattern means death, before they become another puppet for the sorcerer to use for his evil ends - to see the Cerani Empire reduced to dust and whispers.

No one but his mother knows the emperor himself is infected, and so she looks to her only other living son, Prince Sarmin, locked in a tower since Beyon ascended the throne. A bride is chosen, a girl from the grasslands quite unused to the politics and intrigue of the imperial court - but she is strong-willed and determined, and she once saw a path in a pattern in the waving grasses: a path that might just save them all.

About the Author
Mazarkis Williams is the pseudonym of a Sunday Times bestselling and award-winning fantasy author and a critically acclaimed American writer. The Tower and Knife trilogy is their first joint project: the three-book Silk Road fantasy set in a political Oriental world filled with betrayal and intrigue.

Reviews
'From its shocking opening chapter to its tense climax this novel puts great writing to the service of vivid characters, a compelling plot and a wholly convincing fantasy world' Ben Aaronovitch, author of the Top Ten bestseller Moon Over Soho. * Ben Aaronovitch *
'The Emperor's Knife is a must read - it's fresh, exciting and the Tower and Knife trilogy looks set to get even better!' fantasy-faction.com. * fantasy-faction.com *
'A rich and entertaining storytelling environment ... The characters are well drawn: believably ambitious and conflicted individuals who struggle to survive in a maze of tradition and intrigue ... this is strongly recommended' SFX. * SFX *



Book Information
ISBN 9780857388032
Author Mazarkis Williams
Format Paperback
Page Count 480
Imprint Jo Fletcher Books
Publisher Quercus Publishing
Weight(grams) 318g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 161mm * 32mm