K. J. Parker Livres

The second volume in The Two of Swords trilogy by World Fantasy Award-winning author K. J. Parker. "Why are we fighting this war? Because evil must be resisted, and sooner or later there comes a time when men of principle have to make a stand. Because war is good for business and it's better to die on our feet than live on our knees. Because they started it. But at this stage in the proceedings," he added, with a slightly lop-sided grin, "mostly from force of habit." A soldier with a gift for archery. A woman who kills without care. Two brothers, both unbeatable generals, now fighting for opposing armies. No-one in the vast and once glorious United Empire remains untouched by the rift between East and West, and the war has been fought for as long as anyone can remember. Some still survive who know how it was started, but no-one knows how it will end. The Two of Swords is the story of a war on a grand scale, told through the eyes of its soldiers, politicians, victims and heroes.

FROM ONE OF THE MOST ORIGINAL VOICES IN FANTASY COMES A HEART-WARMING TALE OF PEACE, LOVE, AND BATTLEFIELD SALVAGE. The finale in the trilogy that began with Saevus Corax Deals with the Dead.

FROM ONE OF THE MOST ORIGINAL VOICES IN FANTASY COMES A HEROIC TALE OF HONOR, FRIENDSHIP, AND BATTLEFIELD SALVAGE. It's important to look after your crew when you're in the battlefield salvage business. It's stressful work at the best of times, and although your employees are unlikely to be happy it makes sense to keep them alive. So when Saevus Corax finds himself having to capture a castle to stop his men from being killed, he has no choice but to give it a try. Needless to say, the conventional rules of siegecraft are unlikely to be followed.

Hoping for a better life, five war veterans colonize an abandoned island. They take with them everything they could possibly need - food, clothes, tools, weapons, even wives. But an unanticipated discovery shatters their dream and replaces it with a very different one. The colonists feel sure that their friendship will keep them together. Only then do they begin to realize that they've brought with them rather more than they bargained for. For one of them, it seems, has been hiding a terrible secret from the rest of the company. And when the truth begins to emerge, it soon becomes clear that the war is far from over. With masterful storytelling, irresistible wit, and extraordinary insight into human nature, K.J. Parker is widely acknowledged as one of the most original and exciting fantasy writers of modern times. THE COMPANY, K.J. Parker's first stand-alone novel, is a tour de force from an author who is changing the face of the fantasy genre.

Engineer Ziani was sentenced to death for a petty transgression of guild law. Left with no choice except death, he had to flee the city, leaving behind his wife and daughter. Forced into exile, he now seeks a terrible vengeance - one that will leave a trail of death and destruction in its wake.

The razor-sharp follow-up to the critically acclaimed Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City from World Fantasy Award-winner K. J. Parker

The epic concluding volume in The Two of Swords trilogy by World Fantasy Award-winning author K. J. Parker. "Why are we fighting this war? Because evil must be resisted, and sooner or later there comes a time when men of principle have to make a stand. Because war is good for business and it's better to die on our feet than live on our knees. Because they started it. But at this stage in the proceedings," he added, with a slightly lop-sided grin, "mostly from force of habit." A soldier with a gift for archery. A woman who kills without care. Two brothers, both unbeatable generals, now fighting for opposing armies. No-one in the vast and once glorious United Empire remains untouched by the rift between East and West, and the war has been fought for as long as anyone can remember. Some still survive who know how it was started, but no-one knows how it will end. The Two of Swords is the story of a war on a grand scale, told through the eyes of its soldiers, politicians, victims and heroes.

A Practical Guide to Conquering the World can be read by itself, but for those who like endings it can also be considered the refreshingly pragmatic conclusion to World Fantasy Award-winning author K.J. Parker’s acclaimed sequence of novels that began with Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City and continue with How to Rule an Empire and Get Away with It .This is the true story of Aemilius Felix Boioannes the younger, the intended and unintended consequences of his life, the bad stuff he did on purpose, and the good stuff that happened in spite of him.It is, in other words, the tale of a war to end all wars, and the man responsible.

K. J. Parker's new novel is the remarkable tale of the siege of a walled city, and the even more remarkable man who had to defend it. A siege is approaching, and the city has little time to prepare. The people have no food and no weapons, and the enemy has sworn to slaughter them all. To save the city will take a miracle, but what it has is Orhan. A colonel of engineers, Orhan has far more experience with bridge-building than battles, is a cheat and a liar, and has a serious problem with authority. He is, in other words, perfect for the job. Sixteen Ways To Defend a Walled City is the story of Orhan, son of Siyyah Doctus Felix Praeclarissimus, and his history of the Great Siege, written down so that the deeds and sufferings of great men may never be forgotten. For more from K. J. Parker, check out: The Two of SwordsThe Two of Swords: Volume OneThe Two of Swords Volume TwoThe Two of Swords: Volume Three The Fencer TrilogyColours in the SteelThe Belly of the BowThe Proof House The Scavenger TrilogyShadowPatternMemory Engineer TrilogyDevices and DesiresEvil for EvilThe Escapement The CompanyThe Folding KnifeThe HammerSharps

The unnamed narrator of The Long Game is an Adept, a member of an Ecclesiastical order charged, among other things, with opposing a race of immaterial demons, creatures capable of possessing and controlling human minds. Complicating the narrator's life is the fact that, over time, he has developed a cordial "relationship" with one of the demons. Complicating matters further is the unexpected arrival of Amalasomtha, a young woman with impossible abilities who claims to have come from the remote—perhaps mythical—country of Idalia. She also claims that, for reasons she does not entirely understand, she has been tasked with capturing one such demon and returning with it to Idalia. The truth, it turns out, is considerably more complex. Amalasomtha's arrival sets in motion a chain of events encompassing murder, magic, deception, and an array of unintended consequences.-- From publisher's website

A gripping novel of obsession, murder, and politics from a leading voice in fantasy literature.

Returning to his childhood home was supposed to bring peace for Poldarn. But it was not to be. The island proved no sanctuary from the ghosts of his past, or from the demons that stalk his dreams. Instead, he has unearthed yet more lies, betrayals, and enemies from his former life. But with each fresh discovery, Poldarn is coming ever closer to the reality of his shadowy origins. One by one, the fragmented memories and obscure clues are falling into place, forming a truth he cannot escape, a past he cannot deny, and a history that may be more than he—or anyone else—can bear. This is the brilliant conclusion of K.J. Parker’s compelling Scavenger Trilogy.

The greatest philosopher of all time is offering to sell his soul to the Devil. All he wants is twenty more years to complete his life’s work. After that, he really doesn’t care. But the assistant demon assigned to the case has his suspicions, because the philosopher is Saloninus–the greatest philosopher, yes, but also the greatest liar, trickster and cheat the world has yet known; the sort of man even the Father of Lies can’t trust. He’s almost certainly up to something; but what? "Parker generates a fair degree of suspense... an accomplished performance." -- Gary K. Wolfe (for Locus Magazine)

The stunning conclusion to The Engineer Trilogy - a fast-moving mix of politics, action and intelligent world-building - that continues to push the boundaries of fantasy fiction.

"Saloninus is a man with two distinct professions. In idle moments, he dashes off immortal masterpieces philosophical treatises, musical compositions, dramas of Shakespearean range and depth - that never manage to turn a profit. His primary profession - that of thief, grifter and itinerant con man - is equally unprofitable, and he spends his life in constant flight from the encroaching forces of the law. The story opens in the aftermath of Saloninus's own funeral, an act of self-concealment he has staged many times before. Newly risen from the dead, he encounters an old flame - a sort of archetypal femme fatale - with whom he shares a colorful - and highly illegal - history. She has a plan in mind, one that involves both of Saloninus's skill sets: criminality and literary genius. If successful, that plan will lead to the elusive "big score" that will set them free forever. Against his better judgment, and fully aware that failure and betrayal may await him, Saloninus agrees to participate. The result is this ingenious - and very funny - tale."--Publisher

The first volume of the acclaimed fantasy series reissued with a stunning new cover style.

'There's no formal training for battlefield salvage. You just have to pick things up as you go along. Swords, armour, arrows - and the bodies, of course.' The first novel in an epic fantasy trilogy from World Fantasy Award winner K. J. Parker.

K.J. Parker's SHADOW began a ground-breaking new series that takes fantasy into remarkable new territory. Now, with PATTERN, the extraordinary story of Poldarn takes a new shape. In a world he does not know, Poldarn's future is uncertain. Pursued by invisible enemies, and haunted by the demons of his past, nobody can be trusted - not even himself, it seems. Attempting to piece together his own life from whatever scattered fragments he can find and dreams that hide as much as they reveal has brought him nothing but trouble. Now all he craves is peace. But will he find it on the island he believes to be his childhood home? Or will this place hold more terrors for him to confront? Look out for more information on this and other titles at www.orbitbooks.co.uk

"Why are we fighting this war? Because evil must be resisted, and sooner or later there comes a time when men of principle have to make a stand. But at this stage in the proceedings," he added, with a slightly lopsided grin, "mostly from force of habit." A soldier with a gift for archery. A woman who kills without care. Two brothers, both unbeatable generals, now fighting for opposing armies. No one in the vast and once glorious United Empire remains untouched by the rift between East and West, and the war has been fought for as long as anyone can remember. Some still survive who know how it was started, but no one knows how it will end. Except, perhaps, the Two of Swords. World Fantasy Award-winning author K. J. Parker delivers the first volume of his most ambitious work yet-the story of a war on a grand scale, told through the eyes of soldiers, politicians, victims, and heroes.

A man wakes in the wilderness, amid scattered corpses and inquisitive crows. He has no memory of who he is or how he came to be there. The only clues to his former existence lie in his apparent skill with a sword and the fragmented dreams that permeate his sleep. Alone in a hostile world he moves from village to village, masquerading as a god to obtain food and shelter. But the shadow of his past pursues him relentlessly. It whispers to him a riddle far more complex than he could ever have imagined - and a truth he may not wish to believe. Look out for more information about this book and others at www.orbitbooks.co.uk

An engaging and action-filled novel from a leading voice in fantasy.

When an engineer is sentenced to death for a petty transgression of guild law, he flees the city, leaving behind his wife and daughter. Forced into exile, he seeks a terrible vengeance -- one that will leave a trail of death and destruction in its wake. But he will not be able to achieve this by himself. He must draw up his plans using the blood of others...In a compelling tale of intrigue and injustice, K. J. Parker's embittered hero takes up arms against his enemies, using the only weapons he has left to him: his ingenuity and his passion -- his devices and desires.

K.J. Parker returns to the amoral world of Prosper's Demon with a wry, sardonic novella that flips the eternal, rule-governed battle between men and demons on its head.An anonymous representative of the Devil, once a high-ranking Duke of Hell and now a committed underachiever, has spent the last forever of an eternity leading a perfectly tedious existence distracting monks from their liturgical devotions. It’s interminable, but he prefers it that way, now that he’s been officially designated by Downstairs as “fragile.” No, he won’t elaborate.All that changes when he finds himself ensnared, along with a sadistic exorcist, in a labyrinthine plot to subvert the very nature of Good and Evil. In such a circumstance, sympathy for the Devil is practically inevitable.

One house, five hauntings, five chilling stories.

"In a botched demonic extraction, they say the demon feels it ten times worse than the man. But they don?t die, and we do. Equilibrium. The unnamed and morally questionable narrator is an exorcist with great follow-through and few doubts. His methods aren?t delicate but they?re undeniably effective: he?ll get the demon out?he just doesn?t particularly care what happens to the person. Prosper of Schanz is a man of science, determined to raise the world?s first philosopher-king, reared according to the purest principles. Too bad he?s demonically possessed." --publisher's website

A brand-new dark fantasy novella brimming with the ethical quandaries and sardonic wit of The Good Place by World Fantasy Award-winning author K. J. Parker.

Toto je příběh Orhana, syna Siyyaha Doctuse Felixe Praeclarissima, a jeho příběh velkého obléhání, sepsaný proto, aby činy a utrpení velkých mužů nebyly nikdy zapomenuty. Cizí armáda se blíží k hradbám, obléhání je neodvratné a město má zoufale málo času na přípravu. Lidé nemajíjídlo ani zbraně a nepřítel přísahal, že je vyvraždí do posledního. K záchraně by město potřebovalo zázrak, ale jediné, co má, je plukovník ženistů Orhan. Orhan má mnohem více zkušeností se stavbou mostů než s bitvami, je podvodník a lhář a má vážný problém s autoritami. Jinými slovy, je pro tuto práci jako stvořený.

Nachdem sein Vater und alle potenziellen Thronanwärter einander in einem mörderischen Bürgerkrieg ausgelöscht haben, sieht sich Nicephorus gezwungen, die Universität zu verlassen und die Kaiserwürde anzunehmen. Siebenundsiebzig Kaiser haben in den letzten hundert Jahren einen gewaltsamen Tod gefunden, die meisten durch die Hand ihrer eigenen Soldaten. So überrascht es kaum, dass Nico alle wichtigen Ämter ausschließlich mit Leuten besetzen möchte, denen er vertrauen kann seinen ältesten und besten Freunden. Doch an der Nordgrenze des Reiches herrscht Unruhe, und Nico traut sich nicht, einen seiner regulären Generäle dort hinauf zu schicken, da er einen Militärputsch befürchten muss. So wendet er sich an seinen engsten Freund Phormio, der den Auftrag widerstrebend annimmt. Diplomatische Depeschen in purpurner Tinte geschrieben, die ausschließlich offizellen Angelegenheiten vorbehalten ist genügen den beiden Freunden bald nicht mehr, um miteinander in Verbindung zu bleiben. Doch in den Dokumentenröhren ist stets noch Platz für ein weiteres Pergamentblatt.

Der Meisterfechter Bardas Loredan ist dem Untergang Perimadeias entronnen und lebt zurückgezogen an einem entlegenen Ort auf der kleinen Insel Scona. Doch seine Hoffnungen auf ein friedliches Leben als Bogenbauer erfüllen sich nicht ...

Einst war er Gerichtsfechter in Perimadeia, dann Bogenbauer auf der Insel Scona jetzt dient Bardas Loredan als einfach Soldat in der Armee des Imperiums. Doch das bleibt er nicht lange. Von den Minen unter der Stadt Ap'Escatory führt ihn sein Weg unausweichlich der letzten Konfrontation mit seinem alten Widersacher entgegen - dem Nomadenkönig Temrai, der ihn einst aus dem blühenden Perimadeia vertrieben hat. Die Stunde der Vergeltung scheint nahe, doch sind die erbitterten Gegner selbst nur Schachfiguren in einem ebenso undurchsichtigen wie tödlichen Spiegel ...