Mark Lawrence is married with four children, one of whom is severely disabled. His day job is as a research scientist focused on various rather intractable problems in the field of artificial intelligence. Between work and caring for his disabled child, Mark spends his time writing, playing computer games, tending an allotment, brewing beer, and avoiding DIY.

Praise for Mark Lawrence ‘An excellent writer’George R.R. Martin, #1 SUNDAY and NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of GAME OF THRONES‘Dark and relentless…A two in the morning page turner. Jaw-dropping’Robin Hobb, the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of THE ASSASSIN’S APPRENTICE ‘Excellent – on par with George R.R. Martin’Conn Iggulden, author of GENGHIS‘Mark Lawrence gets better with every book. It has a drive to it, a pulse, a gearshift that kicks higher and higher.’Fantasy Book Review‘This tale of knowledge and its cost flies by thanks to the gripping mystery and beautiful worldbuilding…readers will be desperate for more.’Publishers Weekly‘Lawrence works with many threads here, but none feels misused or insufficiently explored. Rather, the author unspools them masterfully, leaving behind a tightly woven tapestry that readers will ache to see finished even if they can predict one or two of the tale’s myriad twists and turns. Gripping, earnest, and impeccably plotted.’Kirkus

Mark Lawrence is married with four children, one of whom is severely disabled. His day job is as a research scientist focused on various rather intractable problems in the field of artificial intelligence. Between work and caring for his disabled child, Mark spends his time writing, playing computer games, tending an allotment, brewing beer, and avoiding DIY.

Praise for Mark Lawrence ‘An excellent writer’George R.R. Martin, #1 SUNDAY and NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of GAME OF THRONES‘Dark and relentless…A two in the morning page turner. Jaw-dropping’Robin Hobb, the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of THE ASSASSIN’S APPRENTICE ‘Excellent – on par with George R.R. Martin’Conn Iggulden, author of GENGHIS‘Mark Lawrence gets better with every book. It has a drive to it, a pulse, a gearshift that kicks higher and higher.’Fantasy Book Review‘This tale of knowledge and its cost flies by thanks to the gripping mystery and beautiful worldbuilding…readers will be desperate for more.’Publishers Weekly‘Lawrence works with many threads here, but none feels misused or insufficiently explored. Rather, the author unspools them masterfully, leaving behind a tightly woven tapestry that readers will ache to see finished even if they can predict one or two of the tale’s myriad twists and turns. Gripping, earnest, and impeccably plotted.’Kirkus