An Age has passed since the Cataclysm that shook the world. From the ashes rose the Faeregine dynasty, who have ruled Impyrium for over three thousand years. But the family's magic has been fading, and with it their power over the Empire. Now many believe the Faeregines are ripe to fall.
Hazel is the youngest of the royal family, happy to leave ruling to her sisters and study her magic. But the Empress has other plans for her granddaughter, dark and dangerous plans to exploit Hazel's talents and rekindle the Faeregine mystique.
Hob Smythe is a commoner toiling in the Empire's mines. When a mysterious stranger offers him a chance to serve-and spy-in the palace, Hob leaps at the chance to escape his dreary life and fight against a system that oppresses nonmagical humans.
But Hazel and Hob soon find their destinies linked not only with each other but with the fate of Impyrium itself. Their improbable bond will either save the realm or end it for good.
In book one of this thrilling new series, Henry H. Neff delivers a high-stakes fantasy where two unlikely allies confront a conspiracy that's even bigger and more sinister than they imagine.
The empress returned to her salad. "Good. Dàme Rascha, you shall have anything my granddaughter requires. I expect weekly reports on her progress."
The vye bowed. "It will be as you wish. But I must voice my concerns. These demands will place profound, perhaps unbearable, strain upon your granddaughter. Old Magic is powerful, Your Radiance, but it must be nurtured carefully. There are disturbing precedents. Her Highness is but twelve years old. She is the last Faeregine."
At this, the Empress actually laughed.
"She's not the last Faeregine, you fool. She's the first in a thousand years!"
Industry Reviews
A rare jewel. A new classic in the fantasy genre.--Eoin Colfer, author of the bestselling Artemis Fowl series A rare jewel. A new classic in the fantasy genre. --Eoin Colfer, author of the bestselling Artemis Fowl series" A magnificent, rich, exhilarating book. Epic in every way, it takes you to another world with countless characters, creatures, and lands, with endless imagination. I say this with all honesty: I haven t read about a world so deep, so purely magical, so well-developed, since Harry Potter. --James Dashner, author of the bestselling Maze Runner trilogy" Neff s novel is wonderfully detailed, building a rich and fascinating picture of a complex society. The book s real joys come from watching Hazel find herself, coming stunningly alive, more vividly and deliciously than she could remember. Readers will share her excitement and eagerly await the next book. --Publishers Weekly (starred review)" Neff offers a meaty, nearly 600-page series opener, an indulgence for readers thirsting for a futuristic cloak-and-daggers plot with magical creatures...An adolescent version of a Game of Thrones-like plot that unfurls with players on both sides vying for their rightful places. --Kirkus" Neff expertly crafts a world that is both stunning in its detail, and impressive in scope...the novel is packed with both story and high stakes as both Hazel and Hob are forced to deal with not just peer rivalry and academic difficulties, but also class disparity, civil unrest, and societal expectations. In this way Neff has created not just a world that not only exists on its own, but one readers will be eager to return to.--Entertainment Weekly" Grade: A. Neff expertly crafts a world that is both stunning in its detail, and impressive in scope...the novel is packed with both story and high stakes as both Hazel and Hob are forced to deal with not just peer rivalry and academic difficulties, but also class disparity, civil unrest, and societal expectations. In this way Neff has created not just a world that not only exists on its own, but one readers will be eager to return to.--Entertainment Weekly" The world of Impyrium is fully formed, down to the last detail, which allows Neff to expertly touch upon themes of social unrest and class disparity, while still telling a heart pounding, adventure-packed story. An Entertainment Weekly Best Middle Grade Book of 2016--Entertainment Weekly" "A rare jewel. A new classic in the fantasy genre."--Eoin Colfer, author of the bestselling Artemis Fowl series "A magnificent, rich, exhilarating book. Epic in every way, it takes you to another world with countless characters, creatures, and lands, with endless imagination. I say this with all honesty: I haven't read about a world so deep, so purely magical, so well-developed, since Harry Potter. "--James Dashner, author of the bestselling Maze Runner trilogy "The world of Impyrium is fully formed, down to the last detail, which allows Neff to expertly touch upon themes of social unrest and class disparity, while still telling a heart pounding, adventure-packed story. " An Entertainment Weekly Best Middle Grade Book of 2016--Entertainment Weekly "Neff offers a meaty, nearly 600-page series opener, an indulgence for readers thirsting for a futuristic cloak-and-daggers plot with magical creatures...An adolescent version of a Game of Thrones-like plot that unfurls with players on both sides vying for their rightful places."--Kirkus "Grade: A. Neff expertly crafts a world that is both stunning in its detail, and impressive in scope...the novel is packed with both story and high stakes as both Hazel and Hob are forced to deal with not just peer rivalry and academic difficulties, but also class disparity, civil unrest, and societal expectations. In this way Neff has created not just a world that not only exists on its own, but one readers will be eager to return to.--Entertainment Weekly "Neff's novel is wonderfully detailed, building a rich and fascinating picture of a complex society. The book's real joys come from watching Hazel find herself, coming stunningly "alive, more vividly and deliciously than she could remember." Readers will share her excitement and eagerly await the next book. "--Publishers Weekly (starred review)
