'There's a mordant wit to the workings of Parker's mind' - Time Out

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

A soldier with a gift for archery. A woman who kills without care. Two brothers, both unbeatable generals, now fighting for opposing armies. No one in the vast and once glorious United Empire remains untouched by the rift between East and West, and the war has been fought for as long as anyone can remember. Some still survive who know how it was started, but no one knows how it will end. Except, perhaps, the Two of Swords.

The second volume of a sweeping and ingeniously plotted epic fantasy from the World Fantasy Award-winning author K. J. Parker and his most ambitious work to date. This is a story of a war on a grand scale, told through the eyes of soldiers, politicians, victims and heroes.

Books by K.J. Parker:

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

Scavenger Trilogy
Shadow
Pattern
Memory

Engineer Trilogy
Devices and Desires
Evil for Evil
The Escapement

Saloninus
Blue and Gold
The Devil You Know

Two of Swords
The Two of Swords: Part 1
The Two of Swords: Part 2
The Two of Swords: Part 3

Novels
The Company
The Folding Knife
The Hammer
Sharps
Savages
Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City
My Beautiful Life

* Review copies mailed to the online, print and blogging press * Featured on www.orbitbooks.net and in the Orbit ezine

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. These interests led him, perhaps inevitably, to qualify as a solicitor and emigrate to Somerset, where he specialised in death and taxes for seven years before going straight in 1995. He lives in Chard, Somerset, with his wife and daughter.

Reviews
One of fantasy's premier voices -- SFX
Assassins, emperors, generals, rogues, farmboys-turned-hero - all the trappings of epic fantasy . . . [and] all the complexity you could ever desire -- PORNOKITSCH
Skilful plotting and rich scene-setting -- GUARDIAN on THE COMPANY
An intriguing tale of magic, manipulation and revenge . . . An action-packed adventure -- STARBURST on the Fencer trilogy



Book Information
ISBN 9781841499284
Author K. J. Parker
Format Paperback
Page Count 416
Imprint Orbit
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 286g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 129mm * 26mm