First book in Joshua Palmatier's new epic fantasy trilogy, set in a sprawling city of light and magic fueled by a ley line network.
Erenthrall—sprawling city of light and magic, whose streets are packed with traders from a dozen lands and whose buildings and towers are grown and shaped in the space of a day.
At the heart of the city is the Nexus, the hub of a magical ley line system that powers Erenthrall. This ley line also links the city and the Baronial plains to rest of the continent and the world beyond. The Prime Wielders control the Nexus with secrecy and lies, but it is the Baron who controls the Wielders. The Baron also controls the rest of the Baronies through a web of brutal intimidation enforced by his bloodthirsty guardsmen and unnatural assassins.
When the rebel Kormanley seek to destroy the ley system and the Baron’s chokehold, two people find themselves caught in the chaos that sweeps through Erenthrall and threatens the entire world: Kara Tremain, a young Wielder coming into her power, who discovers the forbidden truth behind the magic that powers the ley lines; and Alan Garrett, a recruit in the Baron’s guard, who learns that the city holds more mysteries and more danger than he could possibly have imagined . . . and who holds a secret within himself that could mean Erenthrall’s destruction -- or its salvation.
Industry Reviews
Praise for the Ley series: "Palmatier kicks off an epic fantasy series with this complex tale set in a world where wonders are accomplished by manipulating the magical energy of ley lines.... Palmatier lets the story build slowly, introducing a sprawling cast and fascinating setting, before explosively upsetting the status quo." --Publishers Weekly
"Palmatier takes familiar ideas of ley lines and magic wielders but gives them fresh life in this rich fantasy world." --Library Journal
"Palmatier exploits an active imagination to good effect, with characters who develop along with the story...with plenty of tension and excitement. Fantasy regulars looking for a fresh series with real bite should find it worth a try." --Kirkus
"Intricate worldbuilding, engaging and complex characters, and a fresh sharp take on magic and politics. Shattering The Ley proves that Joshua Palmatier is definitely a key new voice in original fantasy." --Kari Sperring, author of Living with Ghosts
"Shattering the Ley, the terrific new fantasy from Joshua Palmatier, is built of equal parts innocence, politics, and treachery. It features a highly original magic system, and may well be the only fantasy ever written where some of the most exciting scenes take place in a power plant. I couldn't put it down." --S. C. Butler, author of Reiffen's Choice
"Shattering the Ley stands apart from the majority of second-world fantasy by having a distinctly modern cast to its worldbuilding." --Tor.com
"There's a lot happening, constantly driving the plot forward, and the political intrigue and ideological conflicts between the clashing factions keep things fresh and engaging." --Bibliosanctum
"Palmatier brilliantly shatters genre conventions.... An innovative fantasy novel with a very modern feel.... For readers who are willing to tackle a more challenging fantasy, without clear heroes and obvious conflicts, Shattering the Ley is an excellent read." --SFRevu
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