The Cracked Throne

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The second 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

Varis learned to survive as a very young child in the slums of Amenkor. And when the mysterious White Fire swept through the city for the second time in a millennium, bringing madness, drought, famine, and disease to the land, Varis survived that as well.

But she was changed by the Fire’s spell, and she was not the only person marked by the White Fire. Eryn, Mistress of the Skewed Throne, still reigned over the city after the Fire’s passing. Yet from that moment, Amenkor began a steady decline, and Eryn herself seemed to hover on the edge of madness.

As Amenkor deteriorated, Varis came to the attention of some of the most powerful people in the city, people who could see her unique potential. And she found herself transformed from gutterscum to unofficial Seeker to bodyguard to assassin. Yet none of her skills could save her from a destiny she never wanted.

Varis became the new Mistress of the Skewed Throne. Untrained, unprepared, not certain who she could trust, Varis took the Throne at the most perilous point in Amenkor’s history. The city was on the brink of starvation, and the trading ships sent out to bring back supplies had disappeared without a trace.

And both Varis and Eryn were obsessed with a vision they alone had shared―Amenkor invaded by an unknown enemy, the harbor watchtowers destroyed, wrecked ships sinking in waters stained red with blood, the city itself engulfed in flames….Praise for the Throne of Amenkor series:

“I give The Skewed Throne four and a half out of five really creepy-ass iconic chairs, and a strong suggestion that it not walk down any dark alleys alone. I highly recommend it.” ―Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of the Toby Daye series

“A gritty, edgy, unsettling book. This tough young woman makes her choices in a world where good and evil often look like twins. I was riveted by her story!” ―Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author of the Song of the Lioness series

“Joshua Palmatier has written 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. This promising first novel should lead to equally confident sequels.” ―Kate Elliott, New York Times bestselling author of Spiritwalker 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. Her ability to slip into what she calls the river, where threats stand out as splashes of red in the currents of the world around her, makes her an intriguing point of view character…if you enjoy grittier fantasy, I would recommend picking up The Skewed Throne.” ―Jim C. Hines, author of the Magic ex Libris series

“If you are familiar with Arya Stark in George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series, you’ll love Varis, who has a similar tenacity and toughness. I highly recommend The Skewed Throne and fans of gritty fantasy will love this book.” ―Paul Genesse, author of the Iron Dragon series

“This novel 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

Joshua Palmatier is a writer and a mathematician. He was born in Pennsylvania, but has lived in numerous states over his life and currently resides in Binghamton, New York, and is a tenured professor of mathematics at Oneonta. He can be found at jpsorrow.livejournal.com.US

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