A powerhouse grimdark fantasy of bloodshed, ambition, and fate, The House of Sacrifice is the thunderous conclusion to Anna Smith Spark's Empires of Dust trilogy, which began with The Court of Broken Knives.
Marith Altrersyr has won. He cut a path of blood and vengeance and needless violence around the world and now he rules. It is time for Marith to put down his sword, to send home his armies, to grow a beard and become fat. It is time to look to his own house, and to produce an heir. The King of Death must now learn to live.
But some things cannot be learnt.
The spoils of war turn to ash in the mouths of the Amrath Army and soon they are on the move again. But Marith, lord of lies, dragon-killer, father-killer, has begun to falter and his mind decays. How long can a warlord rotting from within continue to win?
As the Army marches on to Sorlost, Thalia's thoughts turn to home and to the future: a life grows inside her and it is a precious thing - but it grows weak.
Why must the sins of the father curse the child?
Empires of Dust
The Court of Broken Knives
The Tower of Living and Dying
The House of Sacrifice
Download and start listening now!
"Spark's first novel lives up to its billing as a 'grimdark' tale. The setting may be bleak and dreary, but the worldbuilding is well done and the characters fit right in. Troubled, solitary and downright drug-addled as the protagonist is, readers will come around to his side as the reasons why he seeks for the throne he lost are revealed."
— RT Book Reviews on The Court of Broken Knives
Gritty and glorious! A great read.
— Miles Cameron, author of The Traitor Son Cycle on The Court of Broken KnivesFierce, gripping fantasy, exquisitely written; bitter, funny, and heart-rending by turns.
— Adrian Tchaikovsky, Arthur C. Clarke Award winner for Children of Time on The Court of Broken KnivesGrim, gritty, and fast paced; with great battles scenes! Anna Smith-Spark is one to watch.
— Andy Remic, author of the Blood Dragon Empire series on The Court of Broken KnivesAnna Smith-Spark writes in a unique voice with such pace and veracity your imagination has to struggle to keep up with your eyes.
— Adrian Collins, Grimdark Magazine on The Court of Broken KnivesCaptivating.
— Marc Turner, author of the Chronicles of the Exile series on The Court of Broken KnivesAll hail the queen of grimdark fantasy!
— Michael R. Fletcher, author of Beyond Redemption on The Court of Broken KnivesSpark's gripping debut is definitely one to read and prize.
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) on The Court of Broken KnivesHoly crap, this is good!
— Grim Tidings on The Court of Broken KnivesIt's a bold experiment and feels like something new. An interesting book to read and fascinating to discuss afterwards!
— Mark Lawrence on The Court of Broken KnivesExciting twists and turns...Spark keeps the surprises coming all the way to the end.
— Booklist on The Court of Broken KnivesAn exciting new voice in dark fantasy.
— Scott LynchBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Colin Mace is an actor recently seen in the National Theatre’s One Man, Two Guvnors. He starred in the critically acclaimed drama The Night Watch for the BBC, Shirley for BBC2, as well as several episodes of Eastenders. His theater credits include “Ted Narracott” in War Horse at the National Theatre and West End, as well as Cash at WYP, and The 39 Steps and The Odysee at the Lyric Hammersmith. Other television credits includes Peep Show, Abolition, The Bill, Down to Earth, and The Project.