by K. J. Parker
First published 2015
A man awakens to discover he has lost everything precious to him. He barely survives and flees into a world dominated by an empire locked in endless warfare. As he rebuilds his identity from nothing, he encounters others whose actions will reshape the empire's fate. A brilliant military tactician devises strategies that turn battles. A former pacifist reluctantly takes over his father's failing weapons trade. A skilled forger creates false documents while a fortunate counterfeiter profits from deception. Corrupt officials manipulate the system while nomadic tribes threaten the borders. Each character becomes entangled in schemes that pit allies against enemies in ever-changing alliances. Military campaigns unfold with tactical complexity as fortunes reverse without warning. The protagonist must navigate this treacherous landscape where survival depends on wit, timing, and the ability to adapt. Political intrigue weaves through every interaction as the empire's future hangs in the balance.
Genres: science-fiction, military-fiction, adventure, fantasy, action, political-thriller
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Africa
Period: 21st-Century
388 pages · Hardcover · Subterranean Press
Content warnings: violence