The city of Khaim is surrounded by a land crippled by the use of magic, and a tyrant intent on rebuilding an empire – unless the people find a way to resist. From two award-winning SFF authors, a new fantasy novel about a land crippled by the use of magic, and a tyrant intent on rebuilding an empire. For fans of Ken Liu and Gene Wolfe. Khaim clings to life. Flooded with refugees and slowly starving, the last city of a once-great empire is surrounded by a choking thicket of toxic bramble. This is a world poisoned by magic . Every time a spell is cast, the bramble advances, thrusting up from between cobblestones and bursting forth from sacks of powdered spice. A bit of magic, and bramble follows until whole cities are finally dragged down under tangling vines. Armies hack and burn... yet in a world that can't give up magic's sweet succour, the bramble can't be stopped. But after ten years of research, an alchemist believes he has found a potent new weapon to wield against the bramble. His invention promises freedom from fear, hunger and the rule of Khaim's tyrant, the Jolly Mayor. A radical and darkly relevant fantasy, these are twisted times – where everyone uses just a little magic... and someone else always pays the price. 'An absorbing and sensitive fantasy' GUARDIAN . 'Two authors at the top of their game' DAILY MAIL .
