The Shattered Realm of Ardor Benn
Kingdom of Grit, Book Two
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3.5 • 2 Ratings
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- £2.99
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- £2.99
Publisher Description
The second novel in an action-packed epic fantasy series set in a world with dragon-fuelled magic, where master con artist Ardor Benn must infiltrate a centuries old secret organisation to find a missing royal heir
Ardor Benn saved civilisation from imminent destruction, but his efforts brought war to the kingdom. It is believed that the rightful rulers have all been assassinated. However, a young heir might have survived.
An ancient organisation known as The Realm is behind the chaos, working from the shadows. Under the anonymity of masks, information is distributed sparingly. Ard's been hired to infiltrate them, but he's got competition from an old friend. One who's set to prove she's better than the self-proclaimed 'Ruse Artist Extraordinaire.'
If Ard can't find the heir, then his world may again approach ruin. Stopping the complete and utter collapse of civilisation is quickly becoming Ard's speciality.
Praise for The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn:
'I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is easily the best fantasy-heist book I have read in years!' A Fantastical Librarian on The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn
'A cracking introduction to a new fantasy world that demands further exploration' SFX
'A fun, terrific read I heartily recommend' David Dalglish, author of A Dance of Cloaks
'If you enjoy The Lies of Locke Lamora . . . then I can confidently predict that The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn is the book for you . . . Highly recommended' The Eloquent Page
'The plot and world of this book are one of a kind . . . a very impressive debut' The Quill to Live
'From start to finish this is an amazing read' The Book Plank
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Gifted conman Ardor Benn returns in the excellent second epic in Whitesides's Kingdom of Grit fantasy trilogy (after The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn). Whitesides reacquaints readers with Ard mid-caper: he's enclosed in a coffin impersonating a general's corpse in order to steal a valuable medal from a mausoleum. While fleeing the scene, he stumbles on an even bigger potential payday when Queen Abeth Ostel Agaul mistakes him for a police inspector and tasks him with a sensitive investigation. Abeth believes that her late son, Shad, a rightful heir to the throne presumed dead in an explosion, may be alive. She also suspects that her cousin, King Termain, the current ruler of the Greater Chain, had a hand in Shad's disappearance. Termain's reign is viewed as illegitimate by many in his kingdom and Ard helped facilitate his rise to power. Now Ard assures Abeth that he'll uncover the truth of what happened to her son but to do so he'll have to gain the trust of an organized crime ring. Whitesides makes his vibrant world easily accessible for newcomers, and the enjoyable blend of intrigue, lighthearted escapades, and thrilling action brilliantly sets the stage for the series' conclusion. Readers will be thrilled.
