Anna Smith Spark – författare

The sequel to the masterpiece folk horror high fantasy A Sword of Bronze and Ashes, a lyrical blend of epic myth and daily life. Kanda and her family are on a quest to rebuild the glory that was Roven. Mother and daughters stand together as a light against the darkness. But mother and daughters both have hands that are stained red with blood. They walk a path that is stranger and more beautiful than even Kanda dared imagine, bright with joy, bitter with grief. Ghosts and monsters dog their footsteps - but the greatest monsters lie in their hearts.The 2024 Independent Publisher of the Year, FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress

A gorgeous special edition, A Sword of Bronze and Ashes combines the fierce beauty of Celtic myth with grimdark battle violence. It's a lyrical, folk horror high fantasy.Kanda has a good life until shadows from her past return threatening everything she loves. And Kanda, like any parent, has things in her past she does not want her children to know. Red war is coming: pursued by an ancient evil, Kanda must call upon all her strength to protect her family. But how can she keep her children safe, if they want to stand as warriors beside her when the light fades and darkness rises?FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress

KING OF RUIN. KING OF DUST AND SHADOWS. KING OF DEATH. HE WILL RULE ALL. THE KING IS COMING. Marith Altrersyr – father-killer, dragonlord, leader of the blood-soaked Amrath Army – is keeping his promises. He is determined to become King of all Irlast and take back the seat of his ancestors.Only Thalia, once high priestess of the Lord of Living and Dying, the holiest woman in the Empire, might stop Marith and his army’s deadly march. But she is torn between two destinies – and if she was to return home, what would she fi nd there? A city on the brink of ruin: diseased, despairing, dying?Crawling through a tunnel deep under the ruins of her city, Landra Relast vows vengeance. Her family has been burned, her home destroyed, and now Marith – once her betrothed – must die.But as Landra cuts through the wasteland left in the wake of Marith’s army, she finds that she is not the only one who wishes him ill…

A powerhouse grimdark fantasy of bloodshed, ambition, and fate, The House of Sacrifice is the thunderous conclusion to Anna Smith Spark's Empires of Dust trilogy, which began with The Court of Broken Knives. Hail Him. Behold Him.Man-killer, life-stealer, death-bringer, life’s thief.All are bound to Him,His word is law.The night coming, the sudden light that makes the eyes blind,Golden one, shining, glorious.Life’s judgement, life’s pleasure, hope’s grave.Marith Altrersyr has won. He cut a path of blood and vengeance and needless violence around the world and now he rules. It is time for Marith to put down his sword, to send home his armies, to grow a beard and become fat. It is time to look to his own house, and to produce an heir. The King of Death must now learn to live.But some things cannot be learnt.The spoils of war turn to ash in the mouths of the Amrath Army and soon they are on the move again. But Marith, lord of lies, dragon-killer, father-killer, has begun to falter and his mind decays. How long can a warlord rotting from within continue to win?As the Army marches on to Sorlost, Thalia’s thoughts turn to home and to the future: a life grows inside her and it is a precious thing – but it grows weak.Why must the sins of the father curse the child?A glorious, ambitious and bloodily brilliant conclusion that threads together a masterful tapestry of language and story, holding up a piercing reflection on epic fantasy – and those who love it.

A powerhouse grimdark fantasy of bloodshed, ambition, and fate, The House of Sacrifice is the thunderous conclusion to Anna Smith Spark's Empires of Dust trilogy, which began with The Court of Broken Knives. Hail Him. Behold Him.Man-killer, life-stealer, death-bringer, life’s thief.All are bound to Him,His word is law.The night coming, the sudden light that makes the eyes blind,Golden one, shining, glorious.Life’s judgement, life’s pleasure, hope’s grave.Marith Altrersyr has won. He cut a path of blood and vengeance and needless violence around the world and now he rules. It is time for Marith to put down his sword, to send home his armies, to grow a beard and become fat. It is time to look to his own house, and to produce an heir. The King of Death must now learn to live.But some things cannot be learnt.The spoils of war turn to ash in the mouths of the Amrath Army and soon they are on the move again. But Marith, lord of lies, dragon-killer, father-killer, has begun to falter and his mind decays. How long can a warlord rotting from within continue to win?As the Army marches on to Sorlost, Thalia’s thoughts turn to home and to the future: a life grows inside her and it is a precious thing – but it grows weak.Why must the sins of the father curse the child?A glorious, ambitious and bloodily brilliant conclusion that threads together a masterful tapestry of language and story, holding up a piercing reflection on epic fantasy – and those who love it.

A powerhouse grimdark fantasy of bloodshed, ambition, and fate, The House of Sacrifice is the thunderous conclusion to Anna Smith Spark''s Empires of Dust trilogy, which began with The Court of Broken Knives.Hail Him. Behold Him.Man-killer, life-stealer, death-bringer, life’s thief.All are bound to Him,His word is law.The night coming, the sudden light that makes the eyes blind,Golden one, shining, glorious.Life’s judgement, life’s pleasure, hope’s grave.Marith Altrersyr has won. He cut a path of blood and vengeance and needless violence around the world and now he rules. It is time for Marith to put down his sword, to send home his armies, to grow a beard and become fat. It is time to look to his own house, and to produce an heir. The King of Death must now learn to live.But some things cannot be learnt.The spoils of war turn to ash in the mouths of the Amrath Army and soon they are on the move again. But Marith, lord of lies, dragon-killer, father-killer, has begun to falter and his mind decays. How long can a warlord rotting from within continue to win?As the Army marches on to Sorlost, Thalia’s thoughts turn to home and to the future: a life grows inside her and it is a precious thing – but it grows weak.Why must the sins of the father curse the child?A glorious, ambitious and bloodily brilliant conclusion that threads together a masterful tapestry of language and story, holding up a piercing reflection on epic fantasy – and those who love it.

Perfect for fans of Mark Lawrence and R Scott Bakker, The Court of Broken Knives is the explosive debut by one of grimdark fantasy’s most exciting new voices. They’ve finally looked at the graveyard of our Empire with open eyes. They’re fools and madmen and like the art of war. And their children go hungry while we piss gold and jewels into the dust.In the richest empire the world has ever known, the city of Sorlost has always stood, eternal and unconquered. But in a city of dreams governed by an imposturous Emperor, decadence has become the true ruler, and has blinded its inhabitants to their vulnerability. The empire is on the verge of invasion – and only one man can see it.Haunted by dreams of the empire’s demise, Orhan Emmereth has decided to act. On his orders, a company of soldiers cross the desert to reach the city. Once they enter the Palace, they have one mission: kill the Emperor, then all those who remain. Only from ashes can a new empire be built.The company is a group of good, ordinary soldiers, for whom this is a mission like any other. But the strange boy Marith who walks among them is no ordinary soldier. Marching on Sorlost, Marith thinks he is running away from the past which haunts him. But in the Golden City, his destiny awaits him – beautiful, bloody, and more terrible than anyone could have foreseen.

Perfect for fans of Mark Lawrence and R Scott Bakker, The Court of Broken Knives is the explosive debut by one of grimdark fantasy’s most exciting new voices. They’ve finally looked at the graveyard of our Empire with open eyes. They’re fools and madmen and like the art of war. And their children go hungry while we piss gold and jewels into the dust.In the richest empire the world has ever known, the city of Sorlost has always stood, eternal and unconquered. But in a city of dreams governed by an imposturous Emperor, decadence has become the true ruler, and has blinded its inhabitants to their vulnerability. The empire is on the verge of invasion – and only one man can see it.Haunted by dreams of the empire’s demise, Orhan Emmereth has decided to act. On his orders, a company of soldiers cross the desert to reach the city. Once they enter the Palace, they have one mission: kill the Emperor, then all those who remain. Only from ashes can a new empire be built.The company is a group of good, ordinary soldiers, for whom this is a mission like any other. But the strange boy Marith who walks among them is no ordinary soldier. Marching on Sorlost, Marith thinks he is running away from the past which haunts him. But in the Golden City, his destiny awaits him – beautiful, bloody, and more terrible than anyone could have foreseen.

Perfect for fans of Mark Lawrence and R Scott Bakker, The Court of Broken Knives is the explosive debut by one of grimdark fantasy’s most exciting new voices.They’ve finally looked at the graveyard of our Empire with open eyes. They’re fools and madmen and like the art of war. And their children go hungry while we piss gold and jewels into the dust.In the richest empire the world has ever known, the city of Sorlost has always stood, eternal and unconquered. But in a city of dreams governed by an imposturous Emperor, decadence has become the true ruler, and has blinded its inhabitants to their vulnerability. The empire is on the verge of invasion – and only one man can see it.Haunted by dreams of the empire’s demise, Orhan Emmereth has decided to act. On his orders, a company of soldiers cross the desert to reach the city. Once they enter the Palace, they have one mission: kill the Emperor, then all those who remain. Only from ashes can a new empire be built.The company is a group of good, ordinary soldiers, for whom this is a mission like any other. But the strange boy Marith who walks among them is no ordinary soldier. Marching on Sorlost, Marith thinks he is running away from the past which haunts him. But in the Golden City, his destiny awaits him – beautiful, bloody, and more terrible than anyone could have foreseen.

KING OF RUIN. KING OF DUST AND SHADOWS. KING OF DEATH. HE WILL RULE ALL. THE KING IS COMING.Marith Altrersyr – father-killer, dragonlord, leader of the blood-soaked Amrath Army – is keeping his promises. He is determined to become King of all Irlast and take back the seat of his ancestors.Only Thalia, once high priestess of the Lord of Living and Dying, the holiest woman in the Empire, might stop Marith and his army’s deadly march. But she is torn between two destinies – and if she was to return home, what would she fi nd there? A city on the brink of ruin: diseased, despairing, dying?Crawling through a tunnel deep under the ruins of her city, Landra Relast vows vengeance. Her family has been burned, her home destroyed, and now Marith – once her betrothed – must die.But as Landra cuts through the wasteland left in the wake of Marith’s army, she finds that she is not the only one who wishes him ill…

A Sword of Bronze and Ashes combines the fierce beauty of Celtic myth with grimdark battle violence. It's a lyrical, folk horror high fantasy.Kanda has a good life until shadows from her past return threatening everything she loves. And Kanda, like any parent, has things in her past she does not want her children to know. Red war is coming: pursued by an ancient evil, Kanda must call upon all her strength to protect her family. But how can she keep her children safe, if they want to stand as warriors beside her when the light fades and darkness rises?FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress

SUPREME SACRIFICE In early 2102, Psi-Judge Cassandra Anderson sacrifices herself to trap the spirit of the terrible Judge Death, holding him in her mind as her fellow Judge Joe Dredd encases her in an impenetrable polymer. Her comatose body is laid in a place of honour in the Justice Department’s famed Hall of Heroes, to be remembered forever. For eighteen months, Anderson lies trapped, sharing her tomb with the monster she defeated. An epic battle rages silently within the Psi-Judge’s skull, as she delves into Death’s secrets and watches her city being destroyed over and over. This is the story of Anderson versus Death.

Episch, düster und unglaublich packend erzählt - das bildgewaltige Dark Fantasy-Debut von Anna Smith Spark Das einst mächtige Kaiserreich von Sekemleth wird von Dekadenz und Verfall bedroht; verfeindete Adelige streiten um die Vorherrschaft, und dazu ist ihnen jedes Mittel Recht: Der einflussreiche Fürst Orhan Emereth, der den Thron des Reiches mithilfe einer Söldnerarmee an sich reißen will, ahnt nicht, dass sich unter den gekauften Kriegern ein ganz besonderer junger Mann befindet: Marith ist nicht nur auf der Flucht vor seiner Vergangenheit, sondern auch vor seinem mächtigen Vater, der ihn tot sehen will. Die Hochpriesterin Thalia, die im Staat eine sehr angesehene Position einnimmt, hat den Tempel, in dem sie regelmäßig die Opferungen leitet, noch nie verlassen. Doch als das Gemetzel des Staatsstreiches beginnt, muss Thalia aus dem Tempel des "Herrn über Leben und Sterben" fliehen, um dem sicheren Tod zu entkommen. Sie trifft auf Marith, der ihr zusichert, sie lebendig aus der Stadt herauszuschaffen. Gemeinsam werden sie schon bald zu Schlüsselfiguren im Spiel um die Macht. Die englischen Grimdark-Leser von Joe Abercrombie und Mark Lawrence sind begeistert - jetzt schickt sich Anna Smith Spark an, auch hierzulande die Fans düsterer Fantasy zu erobern! »Hypnotisierend, brutal und magisch.« Fantasy Book Critic

Schicksal, Rache und der Mut der Verzweiflung: der 2. Teil der hypnotischen Dark-Fantasy-Trilogie »Empires of Dust« um eine Welt, die ins Chaos stürztVatermörder, Feldherr, Eroberer: Marith Altrersyr hat sich seinem dunklen Schicksal ergeben. Auf dem Weg, ganz Irlast zu unterwerfen, hinterlässt er Tränen, Blut und rauchende Trümmer. Auch das Haus der Frau, der er einst versprochen war, geht dabei in Flammen auf. Landra Relast, die einzige Überlebende, schwört ihrem ehemaligen Verlobten bittere Rache.Währenddessen sucht Thalia – einst als Hohepriesterin des Herrn über Leben und Sterben die mächtigste Frau des untergegangenen Kaiserreichs von Sekemleth – in den Ruinen der zerstörten Hauptstadt nach Verbündeten. Noch einmal will sie alle Kräfte aufbieten, um sich Marith und der tödlichen Amrath-Armee entgegenzustellen.Kann es Landra und Thalia gemeinsam gelingen, die völlige Zerstörung Irlasts aufzuhalten?Nach »Das Reich der zerbrochenen Klingen« ist »Der Turm des wiederkehrenden Todes« der zweite Teil der Dark-Fantasy-Trilogie »Empires of Dust« der gefeierten englischen Autorin Anna Smith Spark. Epische Schlachten und gebrochene Helden zeichnen ihre Dark-Fantasy-Reihe aus, die das englische Magazin »Fantasy Book Critic« als »hypnotisierend, brutal und magisch« lobt.

Una novela épica, oscura y deslumbrante: el debut de fantasía grimdark de Anna Smith SparkEl antaño poderoso Imperio de Sekemleth se ve amenazado por la decadencia y la ruina; los nobles rivales luchan por la supremacía y están dispuestos a todo para conseguirla. El influyente aristócrata Orhan Emereth, que planea arrebatar el trono con ayuda de un ejército de mercenarios, ignora que entre sus filas se oculta un joven muy especial: Marith, que no solo huye de su propio pasado, sino también de su padre, un hombre tan poderoso como empeñado en verlo muerto.La suma sacerdotisa Thalia, una de las figuras más respetadas del Estado, jamás ha abandonado su templo, pero cuando empieza la masacre del golpe de Estado, tiene que huir para escapar de una muerte segura. En su camino se cruza con Marith, quien le promete que la sacará con vida de la ciudad. Juntos se convertirán en piezas clave en el gran juego por el poder.

El rey de la muerte se ha alzado y nada puede detenerloMarith, parricida, señor de los dragones y comandante del ejército de Amrath, aspira a reinar sobre todo Irlast y a recuperar el trono de sus antepasados. Solo Thalia, antigua suma sacerdotisa del Señor de la Vida y la Muerte, podría detener a Marith y la marcha letal de su ejército.Oculta bajo las ruinas de su ciudad, Landra jura venganza. Su familia fue asesinada, su hogar destruido, y ahora Marith, su antiguo prometido, debe morir. Mientras Landra avanza por el yermo dejado por el paso del ejército de Marith, descubre que no es la única que desea verlo caer…