The Empire's Ruin cover art

The Empire's Ruin

Ashes of the Unhewn Throne, Book 1

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The Empire's Ruin

By: Brian Staveley
Narrated by: Moira Quirk, Joe Jameson, Oliver Cudbill
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About this listen

Brian Staveley, author of The Emperor's Blades, gives listeners the first book in a new epic fantasy trilogy based in the world of his popular series the Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, The Empire's Ruin.

Best of Summer 2021 - Polygon

The Annurian Empire is disintegrating. The advantages it used for millennia have fallen to ruin. The ranks of the Kettral have been decimated from within, and the kenta gates, granting instantaneous travel across the vast lands of the empire, can no longer be used.

In order to save the empire, one of the surviving Kettral must voyage beyond the edge of the known world through a land that warps and poisons all living things to find the nesting ground of the giant war hawks. Meanwhile, a monk turned con-artist may hold the secret to the kenta gates.

But time is running out. Deep within the southern reaches of the empire and ancient god-like race has begun to stir.

What they discover will change them and the Annurian Empire forever. If they can survive.

©2021 by Brian Staveley. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Military

Critic Reviews

“Brian Staveley’s books are epic in every sense of the word. His characters are complex, his history deep, his plots rife with action and intrigue. He’s a giant in the genre, no doubt.” (Nicolas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld)

“If you loved Brian Staveley's Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, then hang onto your war hawk, 'cause his new book, The Empire’s Ruin, returns to the world of the crumbling Annurian Empire in a spectacular way. Fans of Staveley's work, and those who enjoy epic fantasy outside the conventional mold, are going to unearth treasure.” (R.S. Belcher)

What listeners say about The Empire's Ruin

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story is good but not as good as previous books.

previous books had better story but if you enjoyed those books, you will definitely like this one as well. great preformance by narrators

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Moira Quirk steals the show

Overall I really enjoyed the book and all the narrator's were good but Moria was absolutely brilliant. I loved getting more of Gwenna and look forward to the next one.

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amazing book!

this is the first time I have submitted a review. I have listened to hundreds of books. I can't rate this highly enough. it's a must listen.

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2 people found this helpful

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An amazing work of epic fantasy

I loved this. Astounding world-building and characterization. I'd rank it up there with 'The Emperor's Blades'. Has shades of Vandermeer and Mieville, with an ending that left me emotionally shattered.
Amazing work.

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Better than the first three books.

Much better than the first three books. But wish there was some story about Valen

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Bit of an oddball but really enjoyable

I think it started out really fast paced in the first chapter but it got really dull after that with the amount that Gwena was complaining non-stop. Even that "dull" bit had a lot of interesting twists and turns so it was bearable. but it really picked up about 1/3 or 1/2 of the way through and was very enjoyable. In my opinion, the author's style seems to have matured a bit, as the thoughts the people have seem more realistic and relatable.

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