The Garden of Stones

Shortlisted for the 2014 Gemmell Morningstar Award—Best Debut Novel

An uneasy peace has existed since the fall of the Awakened Empire centuries ago. Now the hybrid Avān share the land with the people they once conquered: the star-born humans; the spectral, undead Nomads; and what remains of the Elemental Masters.

With the Empress-in-Shadows an estranged ghost, it is the ancient dynasties of the Great Houses and the Hundred Families that rule. But now civil war threatens to draw all of Shrīan into a vicious struggle sparked by one man’s lust for power, and his drive to cheat death.

Visions have foretold that Corajidin, dying ruler of House Erebus, will not only survive, but rise to rule his people. The wily nobleman seeks to make his destiny certain—by plundering the ruins of his civilization’s past for the arcane science needed to ensure his survival, and by mercilessly eliminating his rivals. But mercenary warrior-mage Indris, scion of the rival House Näsarat, stands most powerfully in the usurper’s bloody path. For it is Indris who reluctantly accepts the task of finding a missing man, the only one able to steer the teetering nation towards peace.

"From the very first page of [The Garden of Stones], Mr. Barnes immerses his first-time reader in a world filled with vivid cultures, unusual species, ancient mysteries, and complex characters. Through beautifully worded descriptions, he unveils an original fantasy landscape, filled with amazing details." —Bookwraiths.com

"Barnes drops his readers into a complex world that makes for an immersive experience for lovers of epic fantasy. The political machinations and constant familial betrayals are reminiscent of Jacqueline Carey’s “Kushiel” series … the female characters on both sides are every bit as strong as the males, a refreshing change in epic fantasy. Highly recommended." —Library Journal

"The Garden of Stones was an immersive fantasy. It felt like being in the eye of a storm ... When I finished, I simply did not want to leave this world..." —Reading Reality

"You know that feeling when you a finish a really good book and you don't want to leave the world it's set in? That any book you pick up after just isn't right because it's not the book you were just reading? Well that just happened to me ... I loved this world and the characters." —Marktimmony.com

"If you’re looking for something different, something to strike that vein of Eastern Fantasy with a twinge of weird, this is what you need to go with. Barnes has crafted a great debut with plot twists galore, exactly what speculative fiction needs." —Acerbic Writing

"This is an incredible read ... It is a rich and lyrical style [that] flows. Tantalising all the senses. The world is detailed and tactile, with an almost awe-inspiring depth to it ... Mark T Barnes is going to be huge, once the world gets up to speed!" —Galaxy Bookshop

“[I] quite enjoyed this world that Barnes has created. It’s full of wonder and imagination, tons of creatures, and races that were well-crafted and constantly interesting." —SFFaudio

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