THE IMM ORTAL THRONE

Stella engineering

released OUT NOW! 576 pages | Hardback/ ebook

Author Stella Gemmell

Publisher Bantam Press

Following on from the events of The City, The Immortal Throne continues to track the fate of Stella Gemmell’s enormous, unnamed city- state. In the wake of the emperor’s death and the destruction of the palace the City is vulnerable – not least because its ruling class, the Serafim, cannot stop their political infighting. Meanwhile, a barbarian horde is marching on the weakened City.

Some familiar characters make a welcome return, such as the sweet Emly and her lover Broglanh. There’s plenty to like about the new characters as well: Rubin, often mentioned in the previous book as Indaro’s long- lost brother, provides welcome

Packed with shock twists

backstory, while Stern and his band of brave soldiers will give you a cause to root for. But it’s the City itself that’s the main character. With its winding streets, hidden tunnels and towering walls, it feels unquestionably real, despite its fantastical elements. In truth, fewer point of view characters and more exploration would have been welcome. As it is you may find yourself swapping between people too often, and feeling like your favourites are neglected.

Much like its predecessor, The Immortal Throne starts slowly, but the last hundred or so pages are so jam- packed with shock twists, revelations and action that you’ll be left breathless. But you might also be left wondering whether some of the secrets revealed at the end could have been eked out throughout the book, rather than in a deluge of answers during the last 50 pages. That said, the City and its denizens still more than deserve the sequel which the ending provides plenty of room for.

Stella Gemmell met her late husband David when both of them were working as journalists on the Hastings Observer.