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Throne of Amenkor #3
The Vacant Throne
Ruled by the Mistress of the Skewed Throne, the city of Amenkor has just survived a devastating invasion, paying a terrible price both in the loss of lives and destruction in the city itself. Yet perhaps the most crucial loss is the throne of Amenkor-the true seat of power in every sense-now totally drained of the magic, knowledge, life force, and memories of previous rulers. The city's only hope lies with its sometime ally, the city of Venitte, home to the throne that is twin in power to Amenkor's, the two created at the same time by a magic that no one can now duplicate.
544 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
6 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Palmatier
54 books144 followersJoshua Palmatier started writing science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories in the eighth grade, when the teacher assigned a one page Twilight Zone-ish short story. He wrote a story about Atlantis. It was from the perspective of one of the inhabitants as he escaped in a spaceship, watching his world being destroyed by water from one of the viewports of the ship. He got an A. Joshua hasn't stopped writing since.
"The Skewed Throne" is Joshua's first published novel, but it's the fourth novel he's written. The sequels--"The Cracked Throne" and "The Vacant Throne"--are now all available. His next series--comprising the novels "Well of Sorrows," "Leaves of Flame," and "Breath of Heaven"--was initially published under the pseudonym Benjamin Tate, but is being released in June 2016 under his real name. He is currently hard at work on the third book in his latest series, "Reaping the Aurora," with the first book "Shattering the Ley" now available and the second "Threading the Needle" due out in July 2016. He's also managed to write a few short stories, included in the anthologies "Close Encounters of the Urban Kind," "Beauty Has Her Way," "River," and "Apollo's Daughters."
Joshua is also the founder of a small press called Zombies Need Brains, which is focused on producing SF&F themed anthologies. There are two anthologies currently available--"Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs Aliens" and "Temporally Out of Order"--with two new anthologies due in August 2016 titled "Alien Artifacts" and "Were-". Find out more about Zombies Need Brains at www.zombiesneedbrains.com.
Bibliography: Novels:
Throne of Amenkor series:
The Skewed Throne
The Cracked Throne
The Vacant Throne
Well of Sorrows series:
Well of Sorrows
Leaves of Flame
Breath of Heaven (forthcoming)
Novels of The Ley:
Shattering the Ley
Threading the Needle (July 2016)
Reaping the Aurora (forthcoming)
Bibliography: Short Stories:
"Mastihooba" in Close Encounters of the Urban Kind edited by Jennifer Brozek (APEX).
"Tears of Blood" in Beauty Has Her Way edited by Jennifer Brozek (Dark Quest).
"An Alewife in Kish" (as Benjamin Tate) in After Hours: Tales from the Ur-Bar edited by Joshua Palmatier & Patricia Bray (DAW).
"The River" in River edited by Alma Alexander (Dark Quest).
Bibliography: As Editor:
After Hours: Tales From the Ur-Bar (DAW)
The Modern Fae's Guide to Surviving Humanity (DAW)
Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs Aliens (ZNB)
Temporally Out of Order (ZNB)
Alien Artifacts (ZNB; forthcoming)
Were- (ZNB; forthcoming)
"The Skewed Throne" is Joshua's first published novel, but it's the fourth novel he's written. The sequels--"The Cracked Throne" and "The Vacant Throne"--are now all available. His next series--comprising the novels "Well of Sorrows," "Leaves of Flame," and "Breath of Heaven"--was initially published under the pseudonym Benjamin Tate, but is being released in June 2016 under his real name. He is currently hard at work on the third book in his latest series, "Reaping the Aurora," with the first book "Shattering the Ley" now available and the second "Threading the Needle" due out in July 2016. He's also managed to write a few short stories, included in the anthologies "Close Encounters of the Urban Kind," "Beauty Has Her Way," "River," and "Apollo's Daughters."
Joshua is also the founder of a small press called Zombies Need Brains, which is focused on producing SF&F themed anthologies. There are two anthologies currently available--"Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs Aliens" and "Temporally Out of Order"--with two new anthologies due in August 2016 titled "Alien Artifacts" and "Were-". Find out more about Zombies Need Brains at www.zombiesneedbrains.com.
Bibliography: Novels:
Throne of Amenkor series:
The Skewed Throne
The Cracked Throne
The Vacant Throne
Well of Sorrows series:
Well of Sorrows
Leaves of Flame
Breath of Heaven (forthcoming)
Novels of The Ley:
Shattering the Ley
Threading the Needle (July 2016)
Reaping the Aurora (forthcoming)
Bibliography: Short Stories:
"Mastihooba" in Close Encounters of the Urban Kind edited by Jennifer Brozek (APEX).
"Tears of Blood" in Beauty Has Her Way edited by Jennifer Brozek (Dark Quest).
"An Alewife in Kish" (as Benjamin Tate) in After Hours: Tales from the Ur-Bar edited by Joshua Palmatier & Patricia Bray (DAW).
"The River" in River edited by Alma Alexander (Dark Quest).
Bibliography: As Editor:
After Hours: Tales From the Ur-Bar (DAW)
The Modern Fae's Guide to Surviving Humanity (DAW)
Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs Aliens (ZNB)
Temporally Out of Order (ZNB)
Alien Artifacts (ZNB; forthcoming)
Were- (ZNB; forthcoming)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 2, 2018
A fine finish to a fine series.
The Chorl are defeated, the Ochean dead, but the Skewed Throne lies asunder, its power lost to Varis. A second strike is expected, and Varis and Co begin preparations to strengthen their city for a second assault. There is work to be done, but division amongst the ranks must be dealt with first. Then...
Rumours of the Chorl attacking other ports filters to Amenkor, and Varis sends Westen and the Seekers out to investigate. Varis' dreams of the Seven suggest that Amenkor was not the prize the Chorl sought, but something far more dangerous.
With the Skewed Throne no longer tying her to the city, Varis ventures forth to Vemitte to both find what the Chorl seek, and find a cure for Erick who still lies in a Chorl-induced coma. Can she get there in time and save the day, or will the Chorl get their prize.
This is a good story. Varis and the supporting cast are enjoyable characters. The setting is decent, the Fire an ever mystical magical force. At times the plot is a little obvious, but the story keeps you engaged throughout. If you haven't read the first couple, I'd recommend you check them out first.
The Chorl are defeated, the Ochean dead, but the Skewed Throne lies asunder, its power lost to Varis. A second strike is expected, and Varis and Co begin preparations to strengthen their city for a second assault. There is work to be done, but division amongst the ranks must be dealt with first. Then...
Rumours of the Chorl attacking other ports filters to Amenkor, and Varis sends Westen and the Seekers out to investigate. Varis' dreams of the Seven suggest that Amenkor was not the prize the Chorl sought, but something far more dangerous.
With the Skewed Throne no longer tying her to the city, Varis ventures forth to Vemitte to both find what the Chorl seek, and find a cure for Erick who still lies in a Chorl-induced coma. Can she get there in time and save the day, or will the Chorl get their prize.
This is a good story. Varis and the supporting cast are enjoyable characters. The setting is decent, the Fire an ever mystical magical force. At times the plot is a little obvious, but the story keeps you engaged throughout. If you haven't read the first couple, I'd recommend you check them out first.
January 1, 2021
The final book of this series is the best one.
Overall I would give this trilogy a 7.5* / 10* rating.
This series is a fun read which tells an enjoyable story. There are good fight scenes, some decent blood letting and an acceptable amount of magic
The biggest flaw is that the main character "grows up"/fits into her role a bit to easily, yet if you don't let that bother you then..
I would definitely say that you should take at this series.
Overall I would give this trilogy a 7.5* / 10* rating.
This series is a fun read which tells an enjoyable story. There are good fight scenes, some decent blood letting and an acceptable amount of magic
The biggest flaw is that the main character "grows up"/fits into her role a bit to easily, yet if you don't let that bother you then..
I would definitely say that you should take at this series.
September 2, 2019
I enjoyed this, but I couldn't quite relate to the main character, and I think that's why I just couldn't connect with the story. It's pretty much the run of the mill fantasy novel, with them against us, but in this instance, I actually felt it was more a case of equal forces and I actually felt for the 'attackers', their whole existence being dependent on a new place to live, and being refused it! As a first person novel, this isn't the style of novel to give both perspectives in this war, but that doesn't take from the sympathy I felt, and as a student of history, it's a story we can see repeated throughout humanity - just look at the native Indians and the English/French/Danish settlers in the sixteenth century, or the English peoples invaded by the many tribes of Europe, including the Saxons, Normans, Romans, Vikings to name but a few!
I think you get my drift!
I hope this doesn't put you off, the book is well-written and can be quite intense at times, and a reminder of human history is a good thing - others do it to us, we do it to others, the circle of invasion, conquest and settlement will never stop - I just hope the more people aware of it, and the impact, the less destructive it is.
I think you get my drift!
I hope this doesn't put you off, the book is well-written and can be quite intense at times, and a reminder of human history is a good thing - others do it to us, we do it to others, the circle of invasion, conquest and settlement will never stop - I just hope the more people aware of it, and the impact, the less destructive it is.
April 13, 2020
This story took me a long time to get into. I almost abandoned it a couple of times because I found it so confusing often taking me a few paragraphs to realize who the narrator was in any particular section. Many of the names were confusing and the genders of the characters a mystery, and then there was the magic that was rarely defined -- perhaps this would have been easier to follow had I read the first two books before picking this one up but that was not an option. I'd say I was about halfway through it before it really began to hold my interest and I did find the conclusion satisfying.
August 28, 2019
Truly an exceptional trilogy. The ending doesn't disappoint.
December 1, 2024
Epic ending. I liked Varis. She kept her rough edges!!
January 12, 2017
I really enjoyed this series!
June 23, 2021
This was a satisfying ending to a good trilogy. As I stated in my review of the previous book, there is nothing groundbreaking here, but it was still a fun story and I am glad I finally read the trilogy since its been on my shelves for so long. The characterization was better in this book than the second and the action was great. I will be reading the author's later trilogy soon.
October 19, 2010
A fairly solid series from a new writer, and one that I enjoyed, for the most part. It sounds like we'll see more books from him set in the same world. If so, I hope that we'll see more emotional range in his characters than anger, hatred, and rage. Anger and hatred seem to be the favored descriptions in the series, but people are driven by more than that. Also, I felt a somewhat dissatisfied with the endings in the last two books, although particularly in this one...after building up the ferocity and strength of the Chorl and their Servants, the ending was a little anticlimactic. Despite these few things I do still look forward to any books Palmatier comes out with in the future. I think he already has good ideas and will only get better.
August 21, 2013
Wow!
In some recent books, the final battles have felt like the fight Indy has with the Arab swordsman in the marketplace in Raiders of the Lost Ark....builds up to look like something epic, and then Indy hauls out the gun and just shoots the guy...but that's not the case here. Here, we get the build-up, the suspense and you feel like the battle could go either way (but, in your heart of hearts you know who will triumph, because this is the last book in the trilogy.....)
The only thing that keeps me from giving this four stars is I WANT MORE! The ending could be a set up for more books, but I don't think there will be any more. Yes, I am a greedy, voracious reader who's NEVER satisfied.....
In some recent books, the final battles have felt like the fight Indy has with the Arab swordsman in the marketplace in Raiders of the Lost Ark....builds up to look like something epic, and then Indy hauls out the gun and just shoots the guy...but that's not the case here. Here, we get the build-up, the suspense and you feel like the battle could go either way (but, in your heart of hearts you know who will triumph, because this is the last book in the trilogy.....)
The only thing that keeps me from giving this four stars is I WANT MORE! The ending could be a set up for more books, but I don't think there will be any more. Yes, I am a greedy, voracious reader who's NEVER satisfied.....
December 18, 2009
This was amazing. I really really really loved the characters (especially the tough heroine), the unique magic force, everything.
As I mentioned before, this is tougher fantasy - there are daggers sliding into people, hands getting slick with blood. I wouldn't use it to introduce people to fantasy books nor would I want a younger teen to read it, but for those of you who already love fantasy and aren't afraid of a dirtier sort of fantasy (that just sounds wrong!!) then these books are perfect.
As I mentioned before, this is tougher fantasy - there are daggers sliding into people, hands getting slick with blood. I wouldn't use it to introduce people to fantasy books nor would I want a younger teen to read it, but for those of you who already love fantasy and aren't afraid of a dirtier sort of fantasy (that just sounds wrong!!) then these books are perfect.
July 1, 2011
I liked this series. I liked Palmatier's world-buildung and I totally enjoyed the characterization of Varis. But there is a huge minus in all three books: the love interest of Varis. I'm not one of this female readers who need a love story in every book they read, but if there is one, then pleaaaaaase let it be a convincing one! Palmatier is really good in describing feelings such as rage, anger or desperation, but love isn't one of them. He needs improvement in this area, otherwise he should stop including love stories in his books. It's irritating.
January 4, 2009
I was fortunate enough to grab an advanced readers copy of this, and I can not wait until the hardcover comes out in Jan 2008. What a fantastic end to the trilogy, concluding the story of the street girl turned assassin Varis, and her attempts to prevent the destruction of her homeland.
Excellent fantasy series, offering an exciting new voice for any fantasy lover.
Excellent fantasy series, offering an exciting new voice for any fantasy lover.
March 23, 2017
Heh heh. I picked this book up in a store based on its cover art. When I got it home I discovered it was the 3rd in a trilogy! Dammit, thought I. I'll have to go buy the other two
Turns out the other two were pretty damned good. While the second in the series is a little tough going in the middle (but still good), the Vacant Throne makes it worth persisting with.
A trilogy I highly recommend to fantasy fans.
Turns out the other two were pretty damned good. While the second in the series is a little tough going in the middle (but still good), the Vacant Throne makes it worth persisting with.
A trilogy I highly recommend to fantasy fans.
December 17, 2008
The ending to a very imaginative trilogy... it was fascinating watching Varis rise from homeless girl struggling to survive on the streets to the savior of not one, but two cities. And the Chorl made for very good villains.
I think there is a lot more to be explored within this world, however, as a number of questions were left unanswered. I expect we will be returning there once again.
I think there is a lot more to be explored within this world, however, as a number of questions were left unanswered. I expect we will be returning there once again.
December 9, 2013
I always start off with how I do my rating- 5 stars are my favorite books and will re-read and recommend to anyone. 4 stars are ones that I liked a lot but not loved as a favorite. 3 stars are ones that I liked (just liked). 2 stars are ones that I was not fond of. 1 star is for ones I hate and can not stand.
September 4, 2010
Finished this one a few days ago. Not quite the ending I was expecting...which is good. I hate it when books become too predictable. Loved the story and will definitely pick up more of Mr. Palmatier's books in the future.
January 21, 2010
As with the other two books in this series i really loved this book. i look forward to more books from this author.
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February 1, 2011I really would love for Mr. Palmatier to continue this series. I am completely enthralled with the main character, Varis.
August 6, 2011
I really enjoyed the entire series. I expect to look for more work by the same author soon!
February 3, 2013
The ending left too many unanswered questions, leaving the book with an incomplete feeling. If the ending was better, I would have rated it 4 stars.
August 24, 2014
pleasantly surprised on how unique the story is !
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews