Review by Booklist Review
Evans presents a strong start to the Books of the Usurper series. Primate Lamberto and other guests are attacked at their host's home, and the host is murdered. Quill, an apprentice scribe immediately afterwards, just in time to see his closest friend, Karimo, commit suicide. While the evidence pointing to Karimo's guilt seems fairly conclusive, Quill's unwavering loyalty to his friend and the suspiciously identical testimony from the witnesses lead Quill and Vigilant Richa Langyun into a dangerous investigation linked to secrets from a failed coup two decades earlier. Their research overlaps with Quill's initial assignment to retrieve ancient artifacts related to the coup from the magical Imperial Archives, pulling archivists and mages into the investigation even as several mages deal with their magic seasonally spiraling out of control. From the rich world building as these remnants of humanity hide from changelings behind a Salt Wall, to the interesting culture, a unique magic system, and a variety of humanoids, readers will be delighted that nothing is predictable in this intriguing story.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Evans (the Brimstone Angels series) launches her Books of the Usurper epic fantasy series with a heady mixture of magic, murder, and revolution. Twenty-three years before the start of the book, Redolfo, Duke Kirazzi, attempted a coup in the empire of Semilla. But the Kirazzi Rebellion failed and Redolfo was executed. In the present day, Quill, an apprentice scribe, arrives in the capital city of Arlabecca to retrieve some ancient artifacts from the Imperial Archives on a special request from the remaining Kirazzi family. While there, the murder of a prominent lord throws the city into chaos. When Quill discovers a dangerous weapon hidden among the Kirazzi artifacts--one that hasn't been used since the days of the coup--he must band together with the city's Archivists to investigate the attack and halt a conspiracy that threatens to destroy the empire. There's a bit of a learning curve to Evans's complex worldbuilding, but readers will be drawn in by the memorable cast, vibrantly drawn fantasy cultures, and vivid prose. Epic fantasy fans will be eager to see where the series goes. Agent: Bridget Smith, JABberwocky. (Nov.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
In this high fantasy epic, scrivener Quill's charming innocence is devastated when he witnesses a friend being implicated in an inexplicable murder that involves the empress, a noble consul, and the notorious Kirazzi family, who once attempted to overthrow the throne. Determined to prove that his friend isn't a monster, Quill turns to the Imperial Archives for help and teams up with the dependable Amadea, whose haunting past catches up to her, and sweet Yinii, whose rare ink affinity estranges her from her people. Together with Vigilant Richa, they pursue an assassin that can reshape others' thoughts and memories, as they also attempt to untangle an immense web of lies, secrets, past relationships, and false identities. The perfectly ominous atmosphere is established by rich worldbuilding, addictive and consuming magic, and an intricately plotted conspiracy full of momentous twists. Nothing is as it seems, exposing lost loves and flawed loyalties among the large cast of admirable, multifaceted characters. VERDICT An excellent new fantasy series by Evans (The Devil You Know), perfect for fans of Katherine Addison or those who enjoy slow-burning and complex court intrigue.--Andrea Dyba
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