The Broken God

Hanrahan ramps up the eldritch pyrotechnics in his gritty third Black Iron Legacy epic (after The Shadow Saint). Cari Thay, the Saint of Knives, travels to mysterious Khebesh, hoping to trade a grimoire to that land’s sorcerers in exchange for their help restoring her friend Spar, who was once human but has been transformed into a semi-divine being animating the living stone of Guerdon’s New City. Her voyage hits trouble on the island of Ilbarin, now ruled by Artolo, a member of the dragon-controlled crime syndicate Ghierdana who seeks revenge on Cari. Meanwhile in Guerdon, young Rasce has taken Artolo’s place in the Ghierdana, and his orders are to gain control of the city’s alchemical resources. When Spar’s broken consciousness connects with Rasce, Rasce is quick to exploit Spar’s powers. And across the sea, Cari must forge a path through the ruins of the Godswar to reach her goal. Hanrahan’s prose and imagery harken back to the best of classic sword and sorcery fantasy with humans struggling to survive as deities battle. This will please series fans and appeal to readers who fondly remember Robert Asprin’s Thieves’ World series. Agent: John Jarrold, John Jarrold Literary. (May)