The Stone Knife (The Songs of the Drowned, Book 1)

Description

A fantasy epic of freedom and empire, gods and monsters, love, loyalty, honour, and betrayal, from the acclaimed author of GODBLIND. For generations, the forests of Ixachipan have echoed with the clash of weapons, as nation after nation has fallen to the Empire of Songs - and to the unending, magical music that binds its people together. Now, only two free tribes remain. The Empire is not their only enemy. Monstrous, scaled predators lurk in rivers and streams, with a deadly music of their own. As battle looms, fighters on both sides must decide how far they will go for their beliefs and for the ones they love - a veteran general seeks peace through war, a warrior and a shaman set out to understand their enemies, and an ambitious noble tries to bend ancient magic to her will.

Anna Stephens has worked in a variety of roles over the years, the latest being in corporate communications for an international law firm. She's currently living the dream as a full-time writer and hopes never to have to get a proper job again. Anna loves all things speculative and horrifying, from books to film to TV, and is a second Dan black belt in Shotokan Karate, as well as a keen weightlifter and beginner swordfighter.

'THE STONE KNIFE has everything you'd hope for in a Stephens novel: sharp action, cracking pace, and a brutal disregard for our poor feelings. A compelling story of clashing cultures, of duty and ambition and change, that will leave you desperate for the next instalment' Sam Hawke, author of CITY OF LIES 'A brilliant, grim, and joyous opening to a bloody new trilogy' Stewart Hotston, author of TANGLE'S GAME 'An epic tale about the bloody repercussions of expansionism. THE STONE KNIFE explores the cruelty of empire through the eyes of characters from vastly different backgrounds, weaving a tapestry of conflict, injustice, and determination' E.J. Beaton, author of THE COUNCILLOR PRAISE FOR THE GODBLIND TRILOGY: 'A great achievement...no one does swordfights quite like Anna Stephens. We salute her with a bloody gauntlet' Daily Mail 'GODBLIND is a triumph of its genre' Starburst 'Writes her name in blood on the roster of masters of grimdark alongside the likes of Mark Lawrence and Joe Abercrombie' B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog 'Builds to an epic crescendo...deeply emotional and unexpectedly hopeful' Publishers Weekly