Synopses & Reviews
Erenthrallsprawling city of light and magic, whose streets are packed with traders from a dozen lands and whose buildings and towers are grown and shaped in the space of a day.
At the heart of the city is the Nexus, the hub of a magical ley line system that powers Erenthrall. This ley line also links the city and the Baronial plains to rest of the continent and the world beyond. The Prime Wielders control the Nexus with secrecy and lies, but it is the Baron who controls the Wielders. The Baron also controls the rest of the Baronies through a web of brutal intimidation enforced by his bloodthirsty guardsmen and unnatural assasins.
When the rebel Kormanley seek to destroy the ley system and the Barons chokehold, two people find themselves caught in the chaos that sweeps through Erenthrall and threatens the entire world: Kara Tremain, a young Wielder coming into her power, who discovers the forbidden truth behind the magic that powers the ley lines; and Alan Garrett, a recruit in the Barons guard, who learns that the city holds more mysteries and more danger than he could possibly have imagined . . . and who holds a secret within himself that could mean Erenthralls destruction -- or its salvation.
Review
"Compelling...[a] highly promising first novel." -
Locus "Intense...succeeds admirably." - Publishers Weekly
"Keeps the reader on edge." - Richmond Times-Dispatch
Review
"
Shattering the Ley, the terrific new fantasy from Joshua Palmatier, is built of equal parts innocence, politics, and treachery. It features
a highly original magic system, and may well be the only fantasy ever written where some of the most exciting scenes take place in a power plant. I couldnt put it down."
—S.C. Butler (for Shattering the Ley)
“Intricate worldbuilding, engaging and complex characters, and a fresh sharp take on magic and politics, Shattering The Ley proves that Joshua Palmatier is definitely a key new voice in original fantasy.”
— Kari Sperring (for Shattering the Ley)
"A vivid, passionate story about a tough-minded heroine fighting for survival. What makes her especially compelling is her own struggle to understand right and wrong, and to confront what necessity can force you to do."
— Kate Elliott (for The Throne of Amenkor series)
"Grips the reader with a swift-moving tale of political intrigue and economic survival in a world where the most dangerous secrets are never forgotten."
— Publishers Weekly (for The Throne of Amenkor series)
“The strength of Palmatier's book lies in Varis. Varis is a bitter girl, hardened by years of living in the Dredge, but she retains a core of humanity.... If you enjoy grittier fantasy, I would recommend picking up The Skewed Throne.”
— Jim Hines (for The Throne of the Amenkor series)
Synopsis
One young girl holds the fate of a city in her hands-If she fails, it spells her doom-and the end of her world.
Twice in the history of the city of Amenkor, the White Fire had swept over the land. Over a thousand years ago it came from the east, covering the entire city, touching everyone, leaving them unburned-but bringing madness in its wake, a madness that only ended with the death of the ruling Mistress of the city. Five years ago the Fire came again, and Amenkor has been spiraling into ruin ever since. The city's only hope rests in the hands of a young girl, Varis, who has taught herself the art of survival and has been trained in the ways of the assassin. Venturing deep into the heart of Amenkor, Varis will face her harshest challenges and greatest opportunities. And it is here that she will either find her destiny-or meet her doom.
Synopsis
After the White Fire had swept over Amenkor five years ago, the city has fallen into ruin and its only hope is Varis, a "Seer" who, trained as an assassin and in the art of survival, must go up against the Mistress of the Skewed Throne by journeying into the heart of Amenkor to meet her destiny or her death. Reprint.
Synopsis
Amenkor, city of legend at its height, Amenkor was a center of wealth and culture. But a millennium ago, the city was caught in the White Fire, a force that swept across the land spreading madness, drought, famine, and disease in it wake.
Now the Dredge the bustling market street that snaked between the slums and the prosperous center of the city marked the dividing line between plenty and poverty, safety and peril.
Left a homeless orphan as a very young child, Varis learned to survive in the Dredge. And when the White Fire blasted through Amenkor for the second time, Varis along with the entire city was trapped in the overwhelming blaze of power.
Though the current Mistress continued to reign from the Skewed Throne, Amenkor's decline escalated after the second Fire. For Varis, though, the chance to escape her hopeless existence unexpectedly presented itself when a guardsman of the Skewed Throne named Erick one of the elite assassins known as Seekers enlisted her to work for him.
Because she had a gift for "Seeing" the true nature of people, Varis soon realized something was wrong, that some of those marked for death were not guilty. But how could the Mistress be mistaken?
Trust in the all-knowing, all-seeing justice and wisdom of their ruler was the foundation of Amenkor's society. Then, one fateful day, Varis claimed a life that took her beyond the law. Suddently there was nowhere safe for her in the Dredge. There was only one place left to flee to into the heart of Amenkor itself."
Synopsis
The first book in the gripping and gritty fantasy Throne of Amenkor trilogy, the story of an unlikely heroine in a city devastated and altered by the mysterious White Fire
Amenkor, city of legend―at its height, Amenkor was a center of wealth and culture. But a millennium ago, the city was caught in the White Fire, a force that swept across the land spreading madness, drought, famine, and disease in it wake.
Now the Dredge―the bustling market street that snaked between the slums and the prosperous center of the city―marked the dividing line between plenty and poverty, safety and peril.
Left a homeless orphan as a very young child, Varis learned to survive in the Dredge. And when the White Fire blasted through Amenkor for the second time, Varis―along with the entire city―was trapped in the overwhelming blaze of power.
Though the current Mistress continued to reign from the Skewed Throne, Amenkor's decline escalated after the second Fire. For Varis, though, the chance to escape her hopeless existence unexpectedly presented itself when a guardsman of the Skewed Throne named Erick―one of the elite assassins known as Seekers―enlisted her to work for him.
Because she had a gift for "Seeing" the true nature of people, Varis soon realized something was wrong, that some of those marked for death were not guilty. But how could the Mistress be mistaken?
Trust in the all-knowing, all-seeing justice and wisdom of their ruler was the foundation of Amenkor's society. Then, one fateful day, Varis claimed a life that took her beyond the law. Suddenly, there is nowhere safe for her in the Dredge. There is only one place left to flee to―into the heart of Amenkor itself.
Synopsis
Five years ago the fire came, and the city of Amenkor has been spiraling into ruin ever since. Its only hope rests in the hands of a young girl, Varis, who has taught herself the art of survival and has been trained in the ways of the assassin. Original. Released simultaneously with "The Cracked Throne" in hardcover.Five years ago the fire came, and the city of Amenkor has been spiraling into ruin ever since. Its only hope rests in the hands of a young girl, Varis, who has taught herself the art of survival and has been trained in the ways of the assassin. Original. Released simultaneously with "The Cracked Throne" in hardcover.
Synopsis
She was a child of the slums skilled in the art of survival...Could she harness that talent to save the city from a fiery doom?
About the Author
Joshua Palmatier was born in PA, but now resides in NY. Palmatier started writing SF and Fantasy novels and short stories in eighth grade, and hasn't stopped writing since, mainly focusing on novels. He can be found at sff.net/people/jpalmatier/.