Brian Staveley

Brian Staveley’s new standalone returns to the critically acclaimed Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne universe, following a priestess-assassin for the God of Death. “Brilliant.” —V. E. Schwab, New York Times bestselling author From the award-winning epic fantasy world of The Emperor’s Blades... Pyrre Lakatur is not, to her mind, an assassin, not a murderer—she is a priestess. At least, she will be once she passes her final trial. The problem isn’t the killing. The problem, rather, is love. For to complete her trial, Pyrre has ten days to kill the seven people enumerated in an ancient song, including “the one who made your mind and body sing with love / who will not come again.” Pyrre isn’t sure she’s ever been in love. And if she fails to find someone who can draw such passion from her, or fails to kill that someone, her order will give her to their god, the God of Death. Pyrre’s not afraid to die, but she hates to fail, and so, as her trial is set to begin, she returns to the city of her birth in the hope of finding love . . . and ending it on the edge of her sword. "A complex and richly detailed world filled with elite soldier-assassins, mystic warrior monks, serpentine politics, and ancient secrets." —Library Journal, starred review, on The Emperor's Blades Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne The Emperor's Blades The Providence of Fire The Last Mortal Bond Other books in the world of the Unhewn Throne Skullsworn

Skullsworn

Sheila

This book was absolutely beautiful. Pyrre was a great character in the original trilogy, but I'd never considered her backstory or was curious about it. This book gave me a piece to the latter trilogy that I hadn't realized was missing - I think Staveley's writing is more powerful when told with one voice as opposed to the multiple POVs in the trilogy.

The ending actually caught me off guard & brought tears to my eyes! So good, but makes me disappointed that more of the trilogy wasn't like this.

'Brilliant' – V. E. Schwab, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Darker Shade of Magic For one apprentice assassin, the clock is ticking . . . Pyrre Lakatur doesn’t like the description skullsworn. It doesn’t capture the beauty of her devotion to Ananshael, God of Death. And she’s not an assassin, but a priestess. Or she will be, if she can pass her final trial. The problem isn’t killing, as Pyrre has spent her life training for this. The problem is love. To pass the trial, she will have fourteen days to kill seven people detailed in an ancient song, including one true love, ‘who will not come again’. However, Pyrre has never been in love, time is short, and if she fails she’ll be given to her god. Pyrre’s not afraid to die, but she hates to fail. So a month before the trial begins, she returns to the violent city of her birth, where she once offered an abusive father to the god. Here Pyrre hopes to find love – and end it with the edge of her knife. 'Pleasantly grim and emotionally complex' – Kirkus Reviews 'Lush, evocative descriptions . . . remarkably intimate' – Publishers Weekly Skullsworn is a thrilling standalone set in the world of the Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne by Brian Staveley.

Sophie Elaina 

The world building and complexity of Brian Staveley's writing style honestly blew my mind. When I first started reading the book I found it extremely hard to get used to the way in which Staveley writes, but this definitely wasn't a bad thing which I will now explain. The writing is so staggeringly wonderful that it just took me a while to wrap my head around. I have never read anything as intricately woven as the writing in this book. I am new to Staveley's work and haven't read any of the other novels that take place in this world, yet I didn't feel like that took away from the experience at all. Skullsworn is marketed as being a standalone novel while also being a prequel story to the Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne trilogy. Even though I have not read the trilogy I can see how it may possibly link and after reading this I definitely hope to pick up the other books at some point as I am very curious on the direction they might follow.

The plot follows Pyrre Lakatur in her attempt to pass the final trial to become a priestess of Ananshael, God of Death. While also encountering several problems that may prove difficult to overcome. I enjoyed the way in which the start of the story throws you straight into the deep end and that some amazing action scenes quickly get you hooked and excited to see what happens next. Even though the story is truly one of an epic fantasy I found Pyrre's struggles and characteristics to be extremely realistic which made her an amazing protagonist. She is a bad-ass anti-hero that I really enjoyed and found both the humour and seriousness that Staveley wove into her character to be very interesting to read. 

The world building was so detailed that I felt like I was experiencing what I was reading first hand and it was an incredibly vivid experience that I will not soon forget. I don't feel like I could compare it to anything I've ever read before, Staveley introduced me to such a different style of writing and one that amazingly made the world come alive around me. It was stunning!

I had a few problems in the beginning with the side characters as I just did not find them likeable at all however this slowly changed and I really started to enjoy both Ela and Kossal (Witnesses to Pyrre's trial and also Priests/Priestess's of Ananshael) and their relationships with Pyree. Which is why I found the ending to be so heartbreaking to read. It took me so long to develop a liking for them which meant I really did not like the way in which events unfold in the end. I adored Ruc and loved (haha I did not do that on purpose - you'll understand if you've read) his relationship with Pyrre.

"How much could a man love a woman, after all, if he wasn't a little worried she might kill him?"

Overall I really enjoyed the plot, the characters and the amazing world building and only had a few issues which mainly centred around the ending, and I don't want to go into too much details because that would be too spoilery. I definitely recommend this to fantasy fans; however I feel if you don't enjoy fantasy or are quite new to the genre this might not be for you as I found it to be one of the most heavy and complex fantasy books that I have ever read.


I would like to say thank you to Pan Macmillan, Tor Books and Brian Staveley for sending me an early digital copy via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

Faith

Oh my god that twist at the end tho. My heart is shattered.

For one apprentice assassin, the clock is ticking . . .Pyrre Lakatur doesn't like the description skullsworn. It doesn't capture the beauty of her devotion to Ananshael, God of Death. And she's not an assassin, but a priestess. Or she will be, if she can pass her final trial. The problem isn't killing, as Pyrre has spent her life training for this. The problem is love. To pass the trial, she will have fourteen days to kill seven people detailed in an ancient song, including one true love, 'who will not come again'. However, Pyrre has never been in love, time is short, and if she fails she'll be given to her god. Pyrre's not afraid to die, but she hates to fail. So a month before the trial begins, she returns to the violent city of her birth, where she once offered an abusive father to the god. Here Pyrre hopes to find love - and end it with the edge of her knife.

Ilse

I absolutely adore the Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne (it’s my most favourite fantasy serie ever), and the world and characters Brian Staveley’s masterful mind created. I felt a little bereft when at last I finished reading The Last Mortal Bond, and was elated when I discovered the existence of this book. 

In the series, I’ve always been fascinated by Pyrre and the Skullsworn. The story was everything I wanted and more, and has to be my favourite in the series so far. Before The Empire’s Ruin is coming out (and o my God was I excited when I discovered that Staveley’s been writing more) I’m definitely going to relish re-reading every single book once more! 

If you’re a fan of the Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne, rest assured that you will adore this book as much as I did ^^