Hollow empire - Sam Hawke

The brilliant new fantasy novel from the acclaimed and multi-award winning author of City of Lies . . .

'Marvellous . . . will leave you reading late into the night.' SFX

'Poisoners, deceit and treachery . . . will surely keep readers entranced.' TERRY BROOKS

'One of the standout debuts - and books - of the year.' THE FANTASY HIVE

'Absolutely loved this . . . a wonderful read.' JOHN GWYNNE

'One of the best new fantasies I've seen in a long time.' ADRIAN TCHAIKOVSKY

'A bold new fantasy voice.'
LAURA LAM
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You never get used to poisoning a child . . .

Two years after a devastating siege tore the country apart, Silasta has recovered. But to the frustration of poison-taster siblings Jovan and Kalina, sworn to protect the Chancellor, the city has grown complacent in its new-found peace and prosperity.

And now, amid the celebrations of the largest carnival the continent has ever seen, it seems a mysterious enemy has returned.

The death of a former adversary sets Jovan on the trail of a cunning killer, while Kalina negotiates the treacherous politics of visiting dignitaries, knowing that this vengeful mastermind may lurk among the princes and dukes, noble ladies and priests. But their investigations uncover another conspiracy which now threatens not just Silasta and the Chancellor but also their own family.

Assassins, witches and a dangerous criminal network are all closing in. And brother and sister must once more fight to save their city - and everyone they hold dear - from a patient, powerful enemy determined to tear it all down . . .

A lawyer by training and a black belt in ju-jitsu, Sam Hawke lives in Canberra. Her first novel, City of Lies, received international acclaim and won the Ditmar Award for Best Novel, jointly won the Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel and the Norma K Hemming Award, as well as earning Sam a nomination for the Astounding Award for Best New SFF Writer for the 2020 Hugos. Hollow Empire continues her Poison War series.

A masterpiece of intrigue and mystery with a nameless, faceless enemy
hellbent on destruction. I loved it.
ANNA STEPHENS, author of the bestselling Godblind

Utterly brilliant . . . The Poison Wars novels contain some of the best world-building I've ever read, a wonderful sibling bond unlike anything in fantasy, all wrapped together in a mystery I couldn't put down. Highly recommend!
S A CHAKRABORTY, author of the bestselling Daevabad Trilogy

An intricate mystery set in a magnificent fantasy city which takes you through layer after layer of a delicious political conspiracy. Hawke keeps all the plates spinning perfectly until the grand finale - I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the other shoe to drop.
EVERINE MAXWELL, author of Winter's Orbit

A gripping tale that blends magic and conspiracy, poison and suspicion, love and hatred. Sam Hawke makes you fall in love with her characters and then tortures you by casting them into unrelenting, page-turning peril.
R J THEODORE, author of Peridot Shift

Filled with twisty politics and powerful magic, Hollow Empire is an explosive sequel, a truly potent story filled with everything that makes fantasy great.
DEVIN MADSON, author of We Ride the Storm

This was such a wonderful, emotional, and satisfying reading experience. Hollow Empire is one of the best books published this year, and it's easily one of the best sequels I've ever read.
NOVEL NOTIONS