The Knife Sworn is an epic fantasy with both an original and classic feel. It draws on some classic fantasy elements, but puts a new spin on them, making this a refreshingly original novel. It’s the second book in The Tower and Knife series and could easily be adapted into a film.

Mazarkis Williams has exclusively signed, lined, dated, doodled and numbered books at his home and they are not to be missed.

This is one of the most talked about epic fantasy stories the year – a truly amazing collectible for your book collection!

About the book
After years locked in a tower, Prince Sarmin has come into his own. He has been crowned emperor; he has wed Mesema of the horse tribes; the Pattern-Master is dead. Everything should be happy-ever-after. But war has begun, Sarmin has no royal assassin, and both his wife and mother have given birth to sons, throwing the succession into question. The last thing anyone needs is for Kavic, the Yrkman peace envoy, to be murdered in his bed. There are numerous possible killers, and with no convincing explanation for Kavic’s death, there is no hope for peace. It’s up to Grada, Sarmin’s trusted investigator, to solve the mystery – no matter how close to the throne the answer may lie.

Reviews
The Wertzone  [AdamWhitehead]

“The Emperor’s Knife is a strong fantasy novel with a fresh setting, rich characters and an enjoyable storyline.”

Staffer’s Musings [Justin Landon]

“I said it at the beginning, and I’ll say it again, this is an ambitious debut novel.  Thankfully, it’s also a novel that demonstrates great deal of promise in its author.” 

Civilian Reader [Stefan Fergus]

“A debut with great potential” 

Publisher’s Weekly [starred review]

“Compelling characterizations will keep fans of grim fantasy entirely enthralled.”

SFX Magazine [Nic Clarke]

“Williams creates a twisty and enjoyable tale centred on a creepy magical plague sapping the strength from the heart of the Cerani Empire.” 

Ranting Dragon [Stephan van Velzen]

“The Emperor’s Knife has everything a fan of epic and high fantasy may need. It has mystery, intrigue, amazing characters both to love and to hate, and original magic systems.” 

Reading Realms [Jeremy Shane]

“This is the first novel by Mazarkis Williams, though it doesn’t feel like it.  I would highly recommend checking it out when it hits shelves on December 6th.  It’s the first in a trilogy, but stands easily on its own.  It has all the elements of a dark fantasy that give a story that heavy realism without going over the edge being so dark that that it starts losing sight of that realism again.” 

SF Signal [Jessica Strider]

“The characters are all believably complex, with desires, regrets and fears.” 

Little Red Reviewer [Redhead]

“Although it boasts an engaging premise, an interesting  magic system and a refreshing setting, The Emperor’s Knife is not without its problems. . . .  That said,  there are plenty of tantalizing ideas here – the patterning disease and Prince Sarmin’s accidental discoveries within it, elemental mages,  an ancient temple found in the desert, not to mention all the overly polite courtly cruelty,  it all keeps me interested to see what happens next.”

Review
‘near-sublime hallucinatory passages that truly transport the reader’ Starburst.

‘a solid sequel in a marvellous trilogy of high fantasy … Williams is a wonderful author and fans of epic fantasy will love this magical, character-driven trilogy’ The Ranting Dragon.

‘a game changer’ Speculating Spec Fic. –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Mazarkis Williams has degrees in history and physics, and a passion for cooking and cats. Mazarkis has roots in both Britain and America, having been educated and working in both, and now divides time between Bristol and Boston

Product details

• First Edition  First printing
•  Hardcover: 307 pages
• Publisher: Night Shade Books (13 Nov 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597803863
• ISBN-13: 978-1597803861
• Product Dimensions: 23.1 x 16 x 2.8 cm

The Knife Sworn is an epic fantasy with both an original and classic feel. It draws on some classic fantasy elements, but puts a new spin on them, making this a refreshingly original novel. It’s the second book in The Tower and Knife series and could easily be adapted into a film.

Mazarkis Williams has exclusively signed, lined, dated, doodled and numbered books at his home and they are not to be missed.

This is one of the most talked about epic fantasy stories the year – a truly amazing collectible for your book collection!

About the book
After years locked in a tower, Prince Sarmin has come into his own. He has been crowned emperor; he has wed Mesema of the horse tribes; the Pattern-Master is dead. Everything should be happy-ever-after. But war has begun, Sarmin has no royal assassin, and both his wife and mother have given birth to sons, throwing the succession into question. The last thing anyone needs is for Kavic, the Yrkman peace envoy, to be murdered in his bed. There are numerous possible killers, and with no convincing explanation for Kavic’s death, there is no hope for peace. It’s up to Grada, Sarmin’s trusted investigator, to solve the mystery – no matter how close to the throne the answer may lie.

Reviews
The Wertzone  [AdamWhitehead]

“The Emperor’s Knife is a strong fantasy novel with a fresh setting, rich characters and an enjoyable storyline.”

Staffer’s Musings [Justin Landon]

“I said it at the beginning, and I’ll say it again, this is an ambitious debut novel.  Thankfully, it’s also a novel that demonstrates great deal of promise in its author.” 

Civilian Reader [Stefan Fergus]

“A debut with great potential” 

Publisher’s Weekly [starred review]

“Compelling characterizations will keep fans of grim fantasy entirely enthralled.”

SFX Magazine [Nic Clarke]

“Williams creates a twisty and enjoyable tale centred on a creepy magical plague sapping the strength from the heart of the Cerani Empire.” 

Ranting Dragon [Stephan van Velzen]

“The Emperor’s Knife has everything a fan of epic and high fantasy may need. It has mystery, intrigue, amazing characters both to love and to hate, and original magic systems.” 

Reading Realms [Jeremy Shane]

“This is the first novel by Mazarkis Williams, though it doesn’t feel like it.  I would highly recommend checking it out when it hits shelves on December 6th.  It’s the first in a trilogy, but stands easily on its own.  It has all the elements of a dark fantasy that give a story that heavy realism without going over the edge being so dark that that it starts losing sight of that realism again.” 

SF Signal [Jessica Strider]

“The characters are all believably complex, with desires, regrets and fears.” 

Little Red Reviewer [Redhead]

“Although it boasts an engaging premise, an interesting  magic system and a refreshing setting, The Emperor’s Knife is not without its problems. . . .  That said,  there are plenty of tantalizing ideas here – the patterning disease and Prince Sarmin’s accidental discoveries within it, elemental mages,  an ancient temple found in the desert, not to mention all the overly polite courtly cruelty,  it all keeps me interested to see what happens next.”

Review
‘near-sublime hallucinatory passages that truly transport the reader’ Starburst.

‘a solid sequel in a marvellous trilogy of high fantasy … Williams is a wonderful author and fans of epic fantasy will love this magical, character-driven trilogy’ The Ranting Dragon.

‘a game changer’ Speculating Spec Fic. –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Mazarkis Williams has degrees in history and physics, and a passion for cooking and cats. Mazarkis has roots in both Britain and America, having been educated and working in both, and now divides time between Bristol and Boston

Product details

• First Edition  First printing
•  Hardcover: 307 pages
• Publisher: Night Shade Books (13 Nov 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597803863
• ISBN-13: 978-1597803861
• Product Dimensions: 23.1 x 16 x 2.8 cm

Mazarkis Williams has exclusively signed, lined, dated, doodled and numbered books at his home. There are 5 variants of doodle and they are not to be missed.

This is one of the most talked about epic  fantasy stories the year – a truly amazing collectible for your book collection!

Reviews
The Wertzone  [AdamWhitehead]

“The Emperor’s Knife is a strong fantasy novel with a fresh setting, rich characters and an enjoyable storyline.”

Staffer’s Musings [Justin Landon]

“I said it at the beginning, and I’ll say it again, this is an ambitious debut novel.  Thankfully, it’s also a novel that demonstrates great deal of promise in its author.”

Civilian Reader [Stefan Fergus]

“A debut with great potential”

Publisher’s Weekly [starred review]

“Compelling characterizations will keep fans of grim fantasy entirely enthralled.”

SFX Magazine [Nic Clarke]

“Williams creates a twisty and enjoyable tale centred on a creepy magical plague sapping the strength from the heart of the Cerani Empire.”

Ranting Dragon [Stephan van Velzen]

“The Emperor’s Knife has everything a fan of epic and high fantasy may need. It has mystery, intrigue, amazing characters both to love and to hate, and original magic systems.”

Reading Realms [Jeremy Shane]

“This is the first novel by Mazarkis Williams, though it doesn’t feel like it.  I would highly recommend checking it out when it hits shelves on December 6th.  It’s the first in a trilogy, but stands easily on its own.  It has all the elements of a dark fantasy that give a story that heavy realism without going over the edge being so dark that that it starts losing sight of that realism again.”

SF Signal [Jessica Strider]

“The characters are all believably complex, with desires, regrets and fears.”

Little Red Reviewer [Redhead]

“Although it boasts an engaging premise, an interesting  magic system and a refreshing setting, The Emperor’s Knife is not without its problems. . . .  That said,  there are plenty of tantalizing ideas here – the patterning disease and Prince Sarmin’s accidental discoveries within it, elemental mages,  an ancient temple found in the desert, not to mention all the overly polite courtly cruelty,  it all keeps me interested to see what happens next.”

Product Description
There is a cancer at the heart of the mighty Cerani Empire: a plague that attacks young and old, rich and poor alike. Geometric patterns spread across the skin, until you die in agony, or become a Carrier, doing the bidding of an evil intelligence, the Pattern Master. Anyone showing the tell-tale marks is put to death; that is Emperor Beyon’s law… but now the pattern is running over his arms. His body servants have been executed, he ignores his wives, but he is doomed, for soon the pattern will reach his face. While Beyon’s agents scour the land for a cure, Sarmin, the Emperor’s only surviving brother, awaits his bride, Mesema, a windreader from the northern plains. Unused to the Imperial Court’s stifling protocols and deadly intrigues, Mesema has no one to turn to but an ageing imperial assassin, the Emperor’s Knife. When Beyon’s patterns are revealed and the Grand Vizier seizes the throne, the Knife spirits her to safety. As long-planned conspiracies boil over into open violence, the invincible Pattern Master appears from the deep desert. Now only three people stand in his way: a lost prince, a world-weary killer, and a young girl from the steppes who saw a path in a pattern once, among the waving grasses – a path that just might save them all.
About the Author
Mazarkis Williams read modern history at university and has worked as an editor, copyeditor, and graphic designer, and has been in the same tabletop role-playing game for fifteen years.

Product details

• First Edition  First printing
• Hardcover: 388 pages
• Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books (27 Oct 2011)
• Language English
• ISBN-10: 0857388002
• ISBN-13: 978-0857388001
• Product Dimensions: 23.8 x 15.2 x 4 cm

The Knife Sworn is an epic fantasy with both an original and classic feel. It draws on some classic fantasy elements, but puts a new spin on them, making this a refreshingly original novel. It’s the second book in The Tower and Knife series and could easily be adapted into a film.

Mazarkis Williams has exclusively signed, lined, dated, doodled and numbered books at his home and they are not to be missed.

This is one of the most talked about epic fantasy stories the year – a truly amazing collectible for your book collection!

About the book
After years locked in a tower, Prince Sarmin has come into his own. He has been crowned emperor; he has wed Mesema of the horse tribes; the Pattern-Master is dead. Everything should be happy-ever-after. But war has begun, Sarmin has no royal assassin, and both his wife and mother have given birth to sons, throwing the succession into question. The last thing anyone needs is for Kavic, the Yrkman peace envoy, to be murdered in his bed. There are numerous possible killers, and with no convincing explanation for Kavic’s death, there is no hope for peace. It’s up to Grada, Sarmin’s trusted investigator, to solve the mystery – no matter how close to the throne the answer may lie.

Reviews
The Wertzone  [AdamWhitehead]

“The Emperor’s Knife is a strong fantasy novel with a fresh setting, rich characters and an enjoyable storyline.”

Staffer’s Musings [Justin Landon]

“I said it at the beginning, and I’ll say it again, this is an ambitious debut novel.  Thankfully, it’s also a novel that demonstrates great deal of promise in its author.” 

Civilian Reader [Stefan Fergus]

“A debut with great potential” 

Publisher’s Weekly [starred review]

“Compelling characterizations will keep fans of grim fantasy entirely enthralled.”

SFX Magazine [Nic Clarke]

“Williams creates a twisty and enjoyable tale centred on a creepy magical plague sapping the strength from the heart of the Cerani Empire.” 

Ranting Dragon [Stephan van Velzen]

“The Emperor’s Knife has everything a fan of epic and high fantasy may need. It has mystery, intrigue, amazing characters both to love and to hate, and original magic systems.” 

Reading Realms [Jeremy Shane]

“This is the first novel by Mazarkis Williams, though it doesn’t feel like it.  I would highly recommend checking it out when it hits shelves on December 6th.  It’s the first in a trilogy, but stands easily on its own.  It has all the elements of a dark fantasy that give a story that heavy realism without going over the edge being so dark that that it starts losing sight of that realism again.” 

SF Signal [Jessica Strider]

“The characters are all believably complex, with desires, regrets and fears.” 

Little Red Reviewer [Redhead]

“Although it boasts an engaging premise, an interesting  magic system and a refreshing setting, The Emperor’s Knife is not without its problems. . . .  That said,  there are plenty of tantalizing ideas here – the patterning disease and Prince Sarmin’s accidental discoveries within it, elemental mages,  an ancient temple found in the desert, not to mention all the overly polite courtly cruelty,  it all keeps me interested to see what happens next.”

Review
‘near-sublime hallucinatory passages that truly transport the reader’ Starburst.

‘a solid sequel in a marvellous trilogy of high fantasy … Williams is a wonderful author and fans of epic fantasy will love this magical, character-driven trilogy’ The Ranting Dragon.

‘a game changer’ Speculating Spec Fic. –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Mazarkis Williams has degrees in history and physics, and a passion for cooking and cats. Mazarkis has roots in both Britain and America, having been educated and working in both, and now divides time between Bristol and Boston

Product details

• First Edition  First printing
•  Hardcover: 307 pages
• Publisher: Night Shade Books (13 Nov 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597803863
• ISBN-13: 978-1597803861
• Product Dimensions: 23.1 x 16 x 2.8 cm