Empire in Black and Gold is the first instalment in the critically-acclaimed epic fantasy series Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky.

The days of peace are over . . .

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 – foresees the threat, as the empires’ 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.

Empire in Black and Gold is followed by the second book in the Shadows of the Apt series, Dragonfly Falling.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.



Praise for this book

“Brimming with imagination” —SciFiNow

“The Shadows of the Apt series is simply one of the best epic fantasy series out there” —LEC Book Reviews

“Super worldbuilding, great characters and extreme inventiveness” —Fantasy Book Critic

“Epic fantasy at its best. Gripping, original and multi-layered storytelling from a writer bursting with lots of fascinating ideas” —Walker of Worlds

“Full of sparking, speculative innovation” —Stephen Baxter on The Doors of Eden

“Breathtaking scope and vision. Adrian Tchaikovsky is one of our finest writers” —Gareth Powell on Children of Ruin

“A joy from start to finish. Entertaining, smart, surprising and unexpectedly human” —Patrick Ness on Children of Time




About the Author

Adrian Tchaikovsky was born in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, and headed off to university in Reading to study psychology and zoology. For reasons unclear even to himself, he subsequently ended up in law. Adrian has since worked as a legal executive in both Reading and Leeds and now writes full time. He also lives in Leeds, with his wife and son. Adrian is a keen live role-player and occasional amateur actor. He has also trained in stage-fighting and keeps no exotic or dangerous pets of any kind – possibly excepting his son.

Adrian is the author of the critically acclaimed Shadows of the Apt series, the Echoes of the Fall series and other novels, novellas and short stories. The Tiger and the Wolf won the British Fantasy Award for Best Fantasy Novel – and Children of Time won the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Best Science Fiction Novel. This was in the award’s thirtieth anniversary year.


Title: Empire in Black and Gold
Author(s): Adrian Tchaikovsky
Series: Shadows of the Apt
Volume: 1
ISBN: 9780230736450
Copyright 2008
Release Date: July 25, 2008
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Countries: United States, Canada | Learn more about available countries
Language: English
Format: ePub | Learn More about our supported formats
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