An Autumn War (The Long Price Quartet, Book 3)

Daniel Abraham delighted fantasy readers with his brilliantly original and engaging first novel, and in his second penned a tragedy as darkly personal and violent as Shakespeare's King Lear . Now he has written an epic fantasy of much wider scope and appeal that will thrill his fans and enthrall legions of new readers. Otah Machi, ruler of the city of Machi, has tried for years to prepare his people for a future in which the magical andat , entities that support their commerce and intimidate all foes, can no longer be safely harnessed. But his efforts are too little, too late. The Galts, an expansionist empire from across the sea, have tired of games of political espionage and low-stakes sabotage. Their general, a ruthless veteran, has found a way to do what was thought impossible: neutralize the andat. As the Galtic army advances, the Poets who control the andat wage their own battle to save their loved-ones and their nation. Failure seems inevitable, but success would end the Galtic threat. With wonderful storytelling skill, Abraham has wedded the unique magic, high-stakes betrayal and political intrigue of his previous works with a broad tapestry of action in a spectacular fantasy epic. "Otah, unlike most citizens of the Khaiate cities, understands the precipice on which his world is balanced. Machi and the other cities have no physical defenses or standing army. They rely on the magical andat-created beings with magical powers that can destroy any invading force. The andat have protected the cities of the Khaiem for generations, but all that is about to change. For centuries, the Galtic Empire has looked hungrily upon the riches of the Khaiem. But because of the threat of the vast powers of the andat, Galt has never dared attack. Enter Balasar Gice, ruthless general of the Galtic Army, who understands the power of the andat and is obsessed with preventing them from wreaking terrible destruction on the world, as has happened in centuries past. And now General Gice has a secret weapon that if employed would leave the Khaiem open to complete annihilation. With the Galtic army fast approaching, Otah Machi must rally the khaiate cities and quickly raise an army. It will take a great deal of persuasion to get all the cities to accept a common leader, but if they do not soon form a unified front, there will be nothing to stop the Galts from sweeping down upon them in a vast, devouring horde."--BOOK JACKET Having struggled to prepare his people for a future without their magic protectors, ruler Otah Machi realizes he has run out of time when his city is targeted by an expansionist empire from across the sea