The Gods Below

The Gods Below begins a sweeping epic from fantasy’s newest master world-smith Andrea Stewart, a story of magic, betrayal, love, and loyalty, where two sisters will clash on opposite sides of a war against the gods.

A divine war shattered the world leaving humanity in ruins. Desperate for hope, they struck a deal with the devious god Kluehnn: He would restore the world to its former glory, but at a price so steep it would keep the mortals indebted to him for eternity. And, as each land was transformed, so too were its people changed into strange new forms – if they survived at all.

Hakara is not willing to pay such a price. Desperate to protect herself, and her sister Rasha, she flees her homeland for the safety of a neighboring kingdom. But when tragedy separates them, Hakara is forced to abandon her beloved sister to an unknown fate.

Alone and desperate for answers on the wrong side of the world, Hakara discovers she can channel the magic from the mysterious gems they are forced to mine for Kluehnn. With that discovery comes another: her sister is alive, and only the rebels plotting to destroy the God Pact can help rescue her.

But only if Hakara goes to war against a god.

• "The Gods Below is a propulsive epic fantasy that holds a blade to your throat and dares you not to breathe. Breathtakingly ambitious and richly realized, it's a complex tale of survivors fighting for freedom and forgiveness in a broken, twisted world -- one where gods are hunted, monsters are real, and magic and secrets glitter like gems beneath the surface. A thrilling, ferocious start to a new trilogy.
  Julie Leong, author of The Teller of Small Fortunes
• "A sweeping tale of desperation, determination, and unlikely alliances, The Gods Below will entrance fantasy fans. Stewart unfurls a richly complex world with the scope of a master storyteller. Weaving together a vast range of character perspectives, this series-opener brings out the tensions and bonds between people vying for safety and stability – you’ll cheer for friends, rivals, siblings, and colleagues at once. Utterly spellbinding." 
  Elyse John, author of Orphia and Eurydicius
• "Gripping from the very first page, The Gods Below lures you down into its dark depths with imaginative worldbuilding and an action-filled plot. Alongside richly textured characters, this layered story of carving out personal identity against expectations and loss will stick with you long after you've finished the last page."
  Linden A. Lewis, author of The First Sister
• "Gripping, beautiful, and full of mystery. This book is not to be missed."
  Cameron Johnston, author of The Last Shield
• "Dive into a lush world rife with violence and despair. Cheer for its broken occupants who are grabbing onto life and love with horns and claws. Stewart is a master and this fantasy delivers the ultimate rush–hope."
  Julia Vee, author of Ebony Gate
• Praise for The Drowning Empire: 
  
  "The Bone Shard Daughter is one of the best fantasy novels I've read in a long time. With stunningly intricate world-building that leaps off the page and characters who are so vibrant that you wish they were real, it grabs you by the heart and the throat from the first pages and doesn't let go until long after it's over. This book is truly special." —Sarah J. Maas, New York Times bestselling author 
  
  "The Bone Shard Daughter is epic fantasy at its most human and heartfelt, concerned with the real lives caught in the gears of empire and rebellion. Inventive, adventurous, and wonderfully written." —Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January
  
  "A fascinating world with characters who have deep foundations, and who will quickly capture readers' hearts...Stewart's debut is sharp and compelling. It will hook readers in and make them fiercely anticipate the rest of the series." —Booklist on The Bone Shard Daughter
  
  "There's a bold, ambitious imagination at work here—and this is a world you'll want to linger in." —M. R. Carey, author of The Girl with All the Gifts, on The Bone Shard Daughter
  
  "The Bone Shard Daughter begins with a spark of intrigue that ignites into a thrilling adventure you cannot miss-with a unique (and painful!) magic system to boot." —Hafsah Faizal, New York Times bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame
  
  "The twisting turns of political negotiations, the desperation of each character to do what’s right, and the carefully written world building come together to power this compelling and suspenseful fantasy...Stewart’s elegant planning and unspooling revelations will keep readers hooked from the first page, and fans will be impatient for the next and final volume in the trilogy." —Booklist on The Bone Shard Emperor