War Master's Gate (Shadows of the Apt, 9)

Review\nSeries praise:\n"Tchaikovsky tests all his characters in the full knowledge that many will fail, some heroically and others in despair. Readers who like their military fantasy to come with real consequences will be completely enthralled." Publishers Weekly\n"All the elements that made the first four novels so good are still here—inventiveness, action, great world building and [this] novel achieved the tricky thing of combining familiarity with the new in all of its aspects that is a landmark of major leading sff series… A++." Fantasy Book Critic\n‘Tchaikovsky clearly has a great deal of talent, and a real handle on the fantasy genre, with the ability to splice in different influences almost seamlessly’ SciFiNow
‘Reminiscent of much that’s gone before from the likes of Gemmel, Erikson, Sanderson and Cook but with its own unique and clever touch, this is another terrific outing from Mr Tchaikovsky’ Sci-Fi-London
‘Occasionally a fantasy author comes up with a way to break the mould of traditional genre tropes: M. John Harrison’s Viriconium and China Mieville’s Perdido Street Station are two examples that immediately spring to mind. Tchaikovsky, on this evidence, looks like a new addition to that select hall of fame’ Death Ray
‘The insectile-human premise is inventive, shaping the world in all sorts of ways’ SFX
‘Full of colourful drama and non-stop action involving mass warfare and personal combat, Dragonfly Falling brilliantly continues the Shadow of the Apt epic fantasy series that began in Adrian Tchaikovsky’s remarkable debut novel, Empire in Black and Gold.’ Fantasy Book Critic\nWar Master’s Gate is the ninth book in the critically acclaimed epic fantasy series Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky, winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award.\nA city makes its last stand . . .\nRelentlessly advancing towards Collegium, the Empire is again seeking to break down the city’s walls. The mighty imperial armies have learnt from their failures, and Empress Seda will brook no weakness in her soldiers. After all, Stenwold Maker has earned his title, and the War Master has strategies to save his city. His aviators rule the skies—but the Wasp Kinden Empire has developed a terrifying new aerial weapon.\nYet the campaign may be decided far from marching armies and the noise of battle. In an ancient forest, where Mantis clans pursue their own civil war, the Empress Seda is seeking a lost power of the old world. Cheerwell Maker must stop her, at any cost, but will their rivalry awaken something far deadlier? Something that could make even their clash of nations pale into insignificance . . .\nWar Master’s Gate is followed by the tenth and final book in the Shadows of the Apt series, Seal of the Worm.