Empire in Black and Gold - The Library of the Uncommons

Paperback, 624 pages

English language

Published June 1, 2021 by Tor.

ISBN:: 978-1-5290-5026-4

(1 review)

The Lowlands' city states have lived in peace for decades, hailed as bastions of civilization. Yet that peace is about to end. A distant empire has been conquering neighbours with highly trained soldiers and sophisticated combat techniques. And the city states are its desirable new prize. Only the ageing Stenwold Maker - spymaster, artificer and statesman - forsees the threat, as the empire's armies march ever closer. So it falls upon his shoulders to open the eyes of the cities' leaders. He sees that war will sweep through their lands, destroying everything in its path. But to warn his people, he must stay alive.

5 editions

Paul reviewed Empire in Black and Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Review of 'Empire in Black and Gold' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Empire in Black and Gold is a pretty unique take on the fantasy genre. Instead of relying on the usual stereotypes, we have a world where the various tribes of humans have adopted traits of the insects around them. This has affected the way the society that has emerged in sometimes surprising, but always consistent, ways.

The plot of the novel is a not unfamiliar tale of a new threat emerging, and the one man who sees the danger. But it's a tale well told, even if some of the early chapters are a little slow.

Overall, I really enjoyed this and will certainly be tracking down the sequels.