The Emperor's Blades cover art

The Emperor's Blades

Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, Book 1

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The Emperor's Blades

By: Brian Staveley
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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About this listen

Now includes special bonus content. Stay tuned after the audiobook to hear “The Last Abbot of Ashk’lan,” a short story by Brian Staveley.

The emperor of Annur is dead, slain by enemies unknown. His daughter and two sons, scattered across the world, do what they must to stay alive and unmask the assassins. But each of them also has a life-path on which their father set them, destinies entangled with both ancient enemies and inscrutable gods.

Kaden, the heir to the Unhewn Throne, has spent eight years sequestered in a remote mountain monastery, learning the enigmatic discipline of monks devoted to the Blank God. Their rituals hold the key to an ancient power he must master before it's too late.

An ocean away, Valyn endures the brutal training of the Kettral, elite soldiers who fly into battle on gigantic black hawks. But before he can set out to save Kaden, Valyn must survive one horrific final test.

At the heart of the empire, Minister Adare, elevated to her station by one of the emperor's final acts, is determined to prove herself to her people. But Adare also believes she knows who murdered her father, and she will stop at nothing - and risk everything - to see that justice is meted out.

©2014 Brian Stavely (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Military Fiction

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All stars
Most relevant
I bought this book mainly because of the narrator. Who was, as expected, excellent. However the story was brilliant. The characters are really well written and brought to life. Can't praise this book enough.

Brilliant

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good story read by one of my favourite readers.
can't wait to listen to the next 2 books

Simon Vance one of the best to listen to. .

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well read, really enjoyed the story, lots of twists to keep you guessing & a preview of the next book at the end.

Thoroughly enjoyed !

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I am a little unsure on how this trilogy will play out, but the first book gives me hope. It is a slow, world building book setting out the pieces on the board for what is to come

The Emperor Sanlitun of Annur is dead, murdered, but by whom? His sons are far away: Kaden, was sent to the Shin Monastery to be trained by monks. Valyn sent to the islands to become a Kettral, a ghost; part of an elite fighting force. Then we have Adare, sister, and now Finance Minister who remained with her father in the Dawn Palace and whom I took a dislike to almost from the start. This first book is more about questions, some of the answers unpalatable.

Now that the Emperor is dead, his sons and heirs are next on the list. Kaden is a little bit of an enigma at the moment; Valyn is certainly not the brightest lightbulb in the box and Adare is looking to be something of a schemer. It remains to be seen which of the Emperor's children will survive what is to come.

Interesting Start

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I really enjoyed this book. I went on to read the other books in this set but the first one was the best of the set.

left me wanting more

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