by Caleb Carr
First published 2012
In the prosperous kingdom of Broken, order reigns at the edge of a sword. But outside the city's walls, an exiled tribe known as the Bane forages in the wilds. As tensions escalate, the lives of Broken's defenders and would-be destroyers collide. The noble soldier Sixt Arnem grapples with his conscience amid rumors of war, while the conniving Lord Baster-kin schemes to expand his power. Meanwhile, the Bane tracker Keera embarks on a perilous quest to save her people, allying with the brilliant but notorious philosopher Caliphestros. In this clash of science and superstition, the fate of the mighty fortress hangs in the balance.
Genres: historical-fiction, adventure, fantasy, epic
Vibes: dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: clash-of-cultures, science-vs-superstition
Setting: Broken, Bane
Period: Medieval, Ancient
653 pages · Hardcover · Random House