Swarmthief's Treason

Second volume in a highly colourful and action-fuelled fantasy trilogy

---

Thwarted in their mission to rescue the Swarm, Vivreki and his half-brother face a dangerous and uncertain future, as people become increasingly aware that the end of their world approaches. Then Viv and Stief succeed in discovering the heretic city of Nia, a mystical place invisible to the outside world, and which is hidden by ancient 'earth magics'.

Grieving the death of her warrior husband, their one-time adversary Asoori is horrified to learn that his family estates have fallen into the hands of the Shemari, one of whose leaders is her own uncle Achios. When the Swarm egg she is protecting from them finally hatches, an unusual entity emerges - part dragonfly and part human female. Named Izz, this creature leads Asoori also to safety in Nia, hotly chased by the Shemari and also, inexplicably, by demons sent in pursuit by Rann, god of the underworld.

Learning that the fate of humankind now hangs in the balance, Viv's last resort is to approach the emperor himself in far-off Gremeshkenn Tem. But when the brothers finally reach him, their perilous quest is far from over. And if they choose the wrong way to turn, their entire world will descend in flames and shadows.

'The characters are vivid and splendidly realized . . . The most enchanting novel I've read in a long, long time' (bestselling author David Gemmell, on Swarmthief's Dance)