The Cracked Throne

When the White Fire passed through the city of Amenkor for the second time in a thousand years, it brought madness, drought, famine, and destruction. In order to stop it, Varis-a young girl from the slums of the city, trained to be an assassin-was forced to seize control of the Skewed Throne from the previous Mistress and become the new ruler of the city. But Varis knows nothing about politics or power. She only knows how to survive. But as she grapples with the reins of leadership and retaining control of the Skewed Throne-helped by the Seeker Erick, her advisor Arrend, the merchant Borund, and the previous Mistress Eryn-a new threat arises. Something dreadful is coming. Something from the sea. Something that will challenge Varis' understanding of the powers of the throne and her hold on the city. Because this force knows of the throne, knows that Amenkor is vulnerable, and it is driven by complete and utter desperation. There is no turning back. It must have the Skewed Throne. And it will destroy everything and everyone in Amenkor to get it. ************* Praise for the Throne of Amenkor series: "I give The Skewed Throne four and a half out of five really creepy-ass iconic chairs, and a strong suggestion that it not walk down any dark alleys alone. I highly recommend it." ―Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of the Toby Daye series "[The Skewed Throne is] A gritty, edgy, unsettling book. This tough young woman makes her choices in a world where good and evil often look like twins. I was riveted by her story!" ―Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author of the Song of the Lioness series "Joshua Palmatier has written a vivid, passionate story about a tough-minded heroine fighting for survival. What makes her especially compelling is her own struggle to understand right and wrong, and to confront what necessity can force you to do. This promising first novel should lead to equally confident sequels." ―Kate Elliott, New York Times bestselling author of Spiritwalker series "The strength of Palmatier's book lies in Varis. Varis is a bitter girl, hardened by years of living in the Dredge, but she retains a core of humanity. Her ability to slip into what she calls the river, where threats stand out as splashes of red in the currents of the world around her, makes her an intriguing point of view character...if you enjoy grittier fantasy, I would recommend picking up The Skewed Throne." ―Jim C. Hines, author of the Magic ex Libris series "If you are familiar with Arya Stark in George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series, you'll love Varis, who has a similar tenacity and toughness. I highly recommend The Skewed Throne and fans of gritty fantasy will love this book." ―Paul Genesse, author of the Iron Dragon series "This novel grips the reader with a swift-moving tale of political intrigue and economic survival in a world where the most dangerous secrets are never forgotten." ―Publishers Weekly "For those who like their fantasy gritty and real, without sugarcoating, Joshua Palmatier's "The Skewed Throne" is a gift. With not a dragon or an unicorn in sight, it's the people and the places where they live that matter in here - Varis is a strong and sympathetic heroine, even the walk-on parts have their own story, and the city of Amenkor has earned a place of its own in the atlas of fantasy lands." -- Alma Alexander, author of Worldweavers: Gift of the Unmage