The Hand of the Sun King (Pact & Pattern) - Softcover

J.T. Greathouse

Softcover

ISBN 10: 162567547X ISBN 13: 9781625675477

Publisher: JAB Books, 2021

Synopsis

"An original fantasy filled with magic and culture, the story of a character torn between two names, two loyalties, and two definitions of good and evil."āKevin J. Anderson, New York Times bestselling author of Spine of the Dragon Wen Alder was born into two worlds. On his father's side, a legacy of proud loyalty and service to the god-like Sienese Emperor spanning generations. And it is expected that Alder, too, will follow this tradition by passing the Imperial exams, learning the accepted ways of magic and, if he serves with honor, enhancing his family's prominence by rising to take a most powerful position in Sienāthe Hand of the Emperor. But from his mother he has inherited defiance from the Empire, a history of wild gods and magic unlike anything the Imperial sorcerers could yet control. It began when his spirited, rebellious grandmother took Alder into the woods and introduced him to her waysāways he has never been able to forget. Now, on the verge of taking the steps that will forge the path of his life, Alder discovers that the conflict between the Empire and the resistance is only the beginning of a war that will engulf both heaven and earth, gods and manāand he may be the key to final victory for whichever side can claim him as their ownā¦ "Sublime prose and pin-sharp characterisation combine to produce a captivating epic of conflicted loyalties and dangerous ambition." āAnthony Ryan, New York Times bestselling author " The Hand of the Sun King is not the gentle story of a boy's rise to power; instead, it digs its fingernails into the layers of an empire that would consume and erase half that boy's identity. Brilliantly told and immediately engrossing, filled with magic, mistakes and their merciless consequences." āAndrea Stewart, author of The Bone Shard Daughter " The Hand of the Sun King is an outstanding debut novel with very well-conceived world building and an excellent, original magic system, and twists that will keep you reading late into the night and guessing until the very end. The thing that really makes it shine is the main characterāI really loved his development throughout the story. Alder is a character I look forward to following for multiple books to come." āMichael Mammay, author of the Planetside series "A great coming of age story about a foolish boy who seeks to unravel the secrets of magic and maybe do something good in the process. I absolutely loved it." āNick Martell, author of Kingdom of Liars "Well written, thought provoking and enjoyable, The Hand of the Sun King is an impressive debut novel that left me eager for more." āLisbeth Campbell, author of The Vanished Queen "A great debut novel." āSFFWorld "A spellbinding debut with terrific characterisations, immersive world-building, and prose that swept me away ... hands down the best debut of the year. Scratch that; this is one of the best debuts I've ever read." āNovel Notions "Exquisite ... Greathouse's characterisation, his prose, and worldbuilding are an absolute triumph." āThe Fantasy Hive "An excellent mix of classic and modern fantasy with a grimdark undertone of despair." āGrimdark Magazine " The Hand of the Sun King is an enjoyable novel that pays great homage to the traditions and mythologies it borrows from." āQuill to Live "Teeming with culture, doused in war, political intrigue ... but strikes out its own path in the genre." āFanFiAddict "Set in a fantastical world of magic with a rich history, this novel fits beautifully into its genre while also addressing some failings of the genre by turning them on their head." āDawn Vogel, History That Never Was

About this title

About the Author

J.T. Greathouse has been writing fantasy and science fiction since he was eleven years old. He holds a BA in history and philosophy with a minor in Asian studies as well as a Master's in Teaching from Whitworth University, and spent four months of intensive study in Chinese language and culture at Minzu University of China in Beijing. His short fiction has appeared, often as Jeremy A. TeGrotenhuis, in Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Writers of the Future 34, Deep Magic, Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show, and elsewhere. In addition to writing, he has worked as an ESL teacher in Taipei, as a bookseller at Auntie's Bookstore in Spokane, and as a high school teacher. He currently lives in Spokane, Washington with his wife Hannah and several overflowing bookshelves.

Edition details

• Publisher: JAB Books
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 162567547X
• ISBN 13: 9781625675477
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 370