Nettle & Bone Sneak Peek

From the New York Times bestselling author Joe Abercrombie comes a delightfully bloody and raucous epic fantasy where holy work demands unholy deeds.

Europe teeters on the brink. Plague and famine grip the land, monstrous shadows lurk in every corner, and greedy princes pursue only their own ambitions. The elves are poised to return, hungry to consume all. In these dark times, sometimes the only path to light lies through the deepest shadows, where the righteous dare not tread.

Beneath the sacred splendor of the Celestial Palace lies the secret Chapel of the Holy Expediency, home to a congregation of convicted monsters. Here, no sin is unforgivable, no line uncrossable, and every mission risks descending into a disastrous bloodbath.

Brother Diaz, expecting a commendation, instead finds himself tasked with binding the worst of the worst to a higher cause: Install a thief on the throne of Troy and unite a fractured church against the coming apocalypse. As he embarks on this hellish journey, Diaz will learn a valuable lesson: when you're headed through hell, you need the devils on your side.

"There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man."

So begins The Wise Man's Fear, the second chapter in Patrick Rothfuss's epic Kingkiller Chronicle. Kvothe, the young arcanist and adventurer, continues his journey, seeking to unravel the mysteries of his past and forge his own legend.

Exiled from the University by a noble's wrath, Kvothe seeks his fortune in the wider world. His travels lead him to the exotic land of Vintas, where he navigates the treacherous currents of courtly politics, uncovers deadly conspiracies, and commands a band of mercenaries on a perilous quest.

But Kvothe's path is fraught with danger. He seeks the truth behind the enigmatic Amyr, the dreaded Chandrian, and the secrets surrounding his parents' murder. His quest will lead him to the legendary Adem mercenaries, force him to reclaim his family's honor among the Edema Ruh, and draw him into the mystical realm of the Fae, where he will face the alluring and deadly Felurian.

In a world of magic, music, and adventure, Kvothe strives to become the hero he was destined to be, even as he discovers the heavy price of legend.

In the city of Camorr, legends whisper of the Thorn, a phantom thief said to be unbeatable in a fight, a hero who steals from the rich to give to the poor. But the truth about Locke Lamora is far more audacious. Locke is no warrior; his weapons are wit, cunning, and an insatiable appetite for the finer things in life. With his band of fellow con artists, the Gentleman Bastards, he pulls off elaborate heists against the city's wealthiest, all under the nose of the ruthless criminal underworld.

Camorr, a city of canals, opulent palaces, and forgotten Elderglass structures, is ripe for the taking. But as Locke's schemes grow bolder, a shadow rises in the form of the Grey King, an enigmatic figure challenging the established order with brutal efficiency. Caught between the Grey King's ambition and the wrath of Capa Barsavi, the city's most powerful crime lord, Locke must navigate a deadly game of deception and betrayal. To protect his friends and the life he's built, Locke will risk everything, pitting his cunning against a ruthless enemy who threatens to tear Camorr apart. Survive or die, Locke will play this game to the very end.

Hunter, a soldier-turned-monk, has sworn to dismantle the tyrannical Kistrill Empire. His weapon? Kingmaker, the royal family's enchanted sword and most potent symbol of power, stolen right from under their noses. With his loyal, battle-hardened friend Chekwe at his side, Hunter seeks refuge in the treacherous mountain jungles of Orzan.

But sanctuary is a distant dream. Two determined women are on his trail: Tennea, Hunter's own sister and the Emperor's elite manhunter, is bound by duty to retrieve Kingmaker and bring her brother to justice. Armed with a company of crack cavalry and a trove of enchanted artifacts, she exploits Hunter's deepest vulnerability – his yearning heart. Then there's Dahlia, a fierce widow who will do anything to protect her son and salvage her ranch from relentless goblin raids. She needs Hunter's help, whether he's willing to give it or not.

As rum-fueled goblin skirmishes escalate into a full-blown war, and Orzan's petty warlords scramble for control of Kingmaker's power, Hunter faces impossible odds. Can he uphold his oath and safeguard the enchanted blade? Or will Chekwe's uncontrollable desire to wield Kingmaker's mysterious power doom them all?