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Throne of Amenkor #2
The Cracked Throne
The second book in the gripping and gritty fantasy Throne of Amenkor trilogy, the story of an unlikely heroine in a city devastated and altered by the mysterious White Fire
Varis learned to survive as a very young child in the slums of Amenkor. And when the mysterious White Fire swept through the city for the second time in a millennium, bringing madness, drought, famine, and disease to the land, Varis survived that as well.
But she was changed by the Fire's spell, and she was not the only person marked by the White Fire. Eryn, Mistress of the Skewed Throne, still reigned over the city after the Fire's passing. Yet from that moment, Amenkor began a steady decline, and Eryn herself seemed to hover on the edge of madness.
As Amenkor deteriorated, Varis came to the attention of some of the most powerful people in the city, people who could see her unique potential. And she found herself transformed from gutterscum to unofficial Seeker to bodyguard to assassin. Yet none of her skills could save her from a destiny she never wanted.
Varis became the new Mistress of the Skewed Throne. Untrained, unprepared, not certain who she could trust, Varis took the Throne at the most perilous point in Amenkor's history. The city was on the brink of starvation, and the trading ships sent out to bring back supplies had disappeared without a trace.
And both Varis and Eryn were obsessed with a vision they alone had shared―Amenkor invaded by an unknown enemy, the harbor watchtowers destroyed, wrecked ships sinking in waters stained red with blood, the city itself engulfed in flames....
Varis learned to survive as a very young child in the slums of Amenkor. And when the mysterious White Fire swept through the city for the second time in a millennium, bringing madness, drought, famine, and disease to the land, Varis survived that as well.
But she was changed by the Fire's spell, and she was not the only person marked by the White Fire. Eryn, Mistress of the Skewed Throne, still reigned over the city after the Fire's passing. Yet from that moment, Amenkor began a steady decline, and Eryn herself seemed to hover on the edge of madness.
As Amenkor deteriorated, Varis came to the attention of some of the most powerful people in the city, people who could see her unique potential. And she found herself transformed from gutterscum to unofficial Seeker to bodyguard to assassin. Yet none of her skills could save her from a destiny she never wanted.
Varis became the new Mistress of the Skewed Throne. Untrained, unprepared, not certain who she could trust, Varis took the Throne at the most perilous point in Amenkor's history. The city was on the brink of starvation, and the trading ships sent out to bring back supplies had disappeared without a trace.
And both Varis and Eryn were obsessed with a vision they alone had shared―Amenkor invaded by an unknown enemy, the harbor watchtowers destroyed, wrecked ships sinking in waters stained red with blood, the city itself engulfed in flames....
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2006
4 people are currently reading
173 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)
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 24, 2023
Success in spite of some "middle book in the trilogy" issues
With a rapidly growing command and understanding of the "River" and "White Fire" magic, Varis was able to depose Amenkor's erratic and possibly insane Mistress Eryn at the conclusion of the first novel in the trilogy. A former street urchin looked down upon by all as "gutterscum", nobody is more surprised than Varis to discover that she is now forced to assume the role of new Mistress.
During much of the opening portion of the book, we are witness to Varis's attempts to apply her best judgment, sadly tempered by inexperience, youth and naïveté, to the exigencies of the government of Amenkor - restocking their dwindling food supplies and determining which of her advisers can be trusted and which need to be carefully watched for their well-hidden malfeasance. The most urgent, compelling task which she faces is the shoring up of Amenkor's deteriorated defences against the coming of the Chorl, an implacable, brutal, devastating and unstoppable enemy which she has seen in a vision as razing Amenkor to its very foundations.
In the final portion of the book, we see a much more accomplished Varis draw on the strengths and magical abilities of all of the former leaders of Amenkor, whether strong or weak, whether honest or venal, whether friend or foe, whose spirits and memories are embodies in the Throne, now revealed to be much more than a mere regal seat for the current Mistress. The anticipated assault by the Chorl has arrived and it falls to Varis to prevent the Armageddon that she has seen in her vision from actually coming to pass.
While the first half of the book dealing with Varis's growth in the role of Mistress is well-written and, to be sure, absolutely necessary for the development of the entire plot, it seemed somehow slow-moving, considerably less than compelling and lacking in a certain intensity. But have patience ... once the Chorl arrive and the battle for control of Amenkor begins, the entire book picks up that breathless pacing that every fantasy reader loves.
Who has lived, who has died and how Varis will fare in the very dubious aftermath of the clearing smoke and debris of an ambiguous battle will be dealt with in the final instalment of the trilogy, THE VACANT THRONE. And I'm certainly looking forward to it.
Highly recommended. But don't forget, THE CRACKED THRONE is the SECOND book in a trilogy and it will not stand alone. Go back to the beginning and start with THE SKEWED THRONE.
Paul Weiss
With a rapidly growing command and understanding of the "River" and "White Fire" magic, Varis was able to depose Amenkor's erratic and possibly insane Mistress Eryn at the conclusion of the first novel in the trilogy. A former street urchin looked down upon by all as "gutterscum", nobody is more surprised than Varis to discover that she is now forced to assume the role of new Mistress.
During much of the opening portion of the book, we are witness to Varis's attempts to apply her best judgment, sadly tempered by inexperience, youth and naïveté, to the exigencies of the government of Amenkor - restocking their dwindling food supplies and determining which of her advisers can be trusted and which need to be carefully watched for their well-hidden malfeasance. The most urgent, compelling task which she faces is the shoring up of Amenkor's deteriorated defences against the coming of the Chorl, an implacable, brutal, devastating and unstoppable enemy which she has seen in a vision as razing Amenkor to its very foundations.
In the final portion of the book, we see a much more accomplished Varis draw on the strengths and magical abilities of all of the former leaders of Amenkor, whether strong or weak, whether honest or venal, whether friend or foe, whose spirits and memories are embodies in the Throne, now revealed to be much more than a mere regal seat for the current Mistress. The anticipated assault by the Chorl has arrived and it falls to Varis to prevent the Armageddon that she has seen in her vision from actually coming to pass.
While the first half of the book dealing with Varis's growth in the role of Mistress is well-written and, to be sure, absolutely necessary for the development of the entire plot, it seemed somehow slow-moving, considerably less than compelling and lacking in a certain intensity. But have patience ... once the Chorl arrive and the battle for control of Amenkor begins, the entire book picks up that breathless pacing that every fantasy reader loves.
Who has lived, who has died and how Varis will fare in the very dubious aftermath of the clearing smoke and debris of an ambiguous battle will be dealt with in the final instalment of the trilogy, THE VACANT THRONE. And I'm certainly looking forward to it.
Highly recommended. But don't forget, THE CRACKED THRONE is the SECOND book in a trilogy and it will not stand alone. Go back to the beginning and start with THE SKEWED THRONE.
Paul Weiss
March 24, 2009
I enjoyed the 2nd book of this series as much as the first. Varis has become a favorite character of mine. Mr. Palmatier manages to give a lot of time to character study without slowing the story. He has also mastered the trick of how to end a book leaving you wanting more. Probably won't get to the third book until May but I look forward to seeing where he takes us next.
January 1, 2021
Not really a 4* but it's a pretty good book #2 of the trilogy.
We see more of the magic being explained and experienced and the story is definitely moving along.
I honestly am enjoying this trilogy more than I have some more well know and more popular trilogies.
We see more of the magic being explained and experienced and the story is definitely moving along.
I honestly am enjoying this trilogy more than I have some more well know and more popular trilogies.
December 6, 2009
I really really enjoyed The Skewed Throne but The Cracked Throne was even better.
Palmatier's fantasy is, as the critics in the front of the book describe, "gritty." It's not fantasy with happy unicorns and rainbows, it's daggers sliding into people's rib cages. But man can this guy tell a story.
At times I've felt like he's describing too much, but sometimes it's just perfect (and I'm sort of anti-too-much-describing anyway).
These are his first 3 books and I'm looking forward to whatever else he writes.
Palmatier's fantasy is, as the critics in the front of the book describe, "gritty." It's not fantasy with happy unicorns and rainbows, it's daggers sliding into people's rib cages. But man can this guy tell a story.
At times I've felt like he's describing too much, but sometimes it's just perfect (and I'm sort of anti-too-much-describing anyway).
These are his first 3 books and I'm looking forward to whatever else he writes.
June 19, 2017
The Cracked Throne is the second in Joshua Palmatier's trilogy. The first, The Skewed Throne, was a solid affair as the protagonist, Varis, rose from urchin to city ruler courtesy of her power to control the River (a power akin to the Force) and hence the titular Skewed Throne.
The Cracked Throne carries over from where "Skewed" left off, with the exception that Varis was no longer negotiating the dangerous streets of the Dredge, but discovering that ruling a city was little different, except with better food. As with her first home, the politics of the city are rife with individuals all seeking their own agenda, and equally dangerous.
The plot rattles along at a solid pace, as Varis finds her hard-earned survival skills serve her well as she secures her place on the Throne. The climatic end of the novel, covering about 150 pages, hurtles along at breakneck pace, with an ending that leaves the reader wondering where the story will go in book three, and looking forward to it.
The Cracked Throne carries over from where "Skewed" left off, with the exception that Varis was no longer negotiating the dangerous streets of the Dredge, but discovering that ruling a city was little different, except with better food. As with her first home, the politics of the city are rife with individuals all seeking their own agenda, and equally dangerous.
The plot rattles along at a solid pace, as Varis finds her hard-earned survival skills serve her well as she secures her place on the Throne. The climatic end of the novel, covering about 150 pages, hurtles along at breakneck pace, with an ending that leaves the reader wondering where the story will go in book three, and looking forward to it.
May 1, 2018
I received a free review copy of this book.
Varis grows into her role of Amenkor's protector in this volume! She deals with food shortages and treachery, as well as an approaching threat from over the sea. Not quite as up-close-and-personal with the violence as Book 1. It's still violent, but on a larger scale; more political, less knife-in-the-kidneys. There's some hints of potential romance that seems unlikely to go anywhere unless one of the participants faces it head-on.
Varis grows into her role of Amenkor's protector in this volume! She deals with food shortages and treachery, as well as an approaching threat from over the sea. Not quite as up-close-and-personal with the violence as Book 1. It's still violent, but on a larger scale; more political, less knife-in-the-kidneys. There's some hints of potential romance that seems unlikely to go anywhere unless one of the participants faces it head-on.
November 28, 2018
The first book I read in this series (???).* I thought it was good enough to use names from it for my home electronic naming conventions for several years.
*I don't recommend this. Read The Skewed Throne first. I was just bad at doing this as a teen.
*I don't recommend this. Read The Skewed Throne first. I was just bad at doing this as a teen.
June 17, 2021
This is a fun trilogy. It isn't groundbreaking but the story is fast paced with interesting world building and a great magic system. The character work isn't as good but I still really like the characters. I can forgive this since this is the author's first published trilogy and the rest of the story is enjoyable. Varis and Erick are, of course, my favorite characters and I hope all goes well for them in the third book.
November 20, 2024
Took too long to get going
February 9, 2017
Januar 2016 Second Time Reading
Der 2. Band der Trilogie hat allen meinen Ansprüchen genügt. Varis gehört inzwischen zu meinen Lieblingsheldinnen, weil sie einfach sie selbst bleibt, mit all ihren Fehlern und Stärken. Die sehr gut ausgearbeiteten Nebencharaktere sind einer der großen Stärken von Joshua Palmatier und einfach ein Genuss zum Lesen. Die Spannung bleibt im gesamten Buch erhalten und steigert sich dann noch mal bis zum Schluss. Bei meiner Lieblingsstelle bekomme ich immer noch Gänsehaut. Die Emotionen bringt der Autor einfach fantastisch rüber.
Beim 2. Mal durchlesen, fallen mir inzwischen einige kleinere Fehler auf, aber ob das an der Übersetzung oder am Autor liegt, kann ich nicht sagen. Allerdings beeinträchtigt das keineswegs das Leseerlebnis.
Verdiente 5*
Der 2. Band der Trilogie hat allen meinen Ansprüchen genügt. Varis gehört inzwischen zu meinen Lieblingsheldinnen, weil sie einfach sie selbst bleibt, mit all ihren Fehlern und Stärken. Die sehr gut ausgearbeiteten Nebencharaktere sind einer der großen Stärken von Joshua Palmatier und einfach ein Genuss zum Lesen. Die Spannung bleibt im gesamten Buch erhalten und steigert sich dann noch mal bis zum Schluss. Bei meiner Lieblingsstelle bekomme ich immer noch Gänsehaut. Die Emotionen bringt der Autor einfach fantastisch rüber.
Beim 2. Mal durchlesen, fallen mir inzwischen einige kleinere Fehler auf, aber ob das an der Übersetzung oder am Autor liegt, kann ich nicht sagen. Allerdings beeinträchtigt das keineswegs das Leseerlebnis.
Verdiente 5*
May 17, 2008
This is a really great book, sequel to Palmatier's "The Skewed Throne". Written from the 1st person POV, it shows the reader Varis' determination to save the city Amenkor from starvation during winter months after her ascension to Mistress.
I would have preferred if there were more scenes with Varis and William, the young man she likes. Though the scenes with Varis and Eric and then with Westen, the leader of the Seekers, or with Keven, the captain of her personal guard were very well written and interesting too.
Another book will definitely follow, for the Chorl were only pushed back, they weren't destroyed and their threat persists.
I would have preferred if there were more scenes with Varis and William, the young man she likes. Though the scenes with Varis and Eric and then with Westen, the leader of the Seekers, or with Keven, the captain of her personal guard were very well written and interesting too.
Another book will definitely follow, for the Chorl were only pushed back, they weren't destroyed and their threat persists.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2010
Yet another very well written book by Mr. Palmatier. We get to see Varis as she struggles to acclimatize herself to being the Mistress of Amenkor, and all of the trouble she has from when the prior Mistress caused a great deal of destruction and chaos because of her growing insanity due to the Skewed Throne.
Once again, Varis is presented as a character we can identify with even if we've never been in her exact position before. This is one that I picked up intending to read a few chapters and couldn't put down.
Once again, Varis is presented as a character we can identify with even if we've never been in her exact position before. This is one that I picked up intending to read a few chapters and couldn't put down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2011
I really like this fantasy triology. Varis is a favorite of mine and I love how she copes with the sudden turns in her life. The only small thing I regret is the slightly unbelievable love story between her and William. There are not enough encounters between them to understand why she fells in love with him. She has more interactions with Eric, Westen or even Keven than with William. Especially the relationship with Eric is so well described that one can think they will end up together instead of the supposed father-daughter relationship!
Nonetheless this is a great second installment!
Nonetheless this is a great second installment!
August 18, 2015
I didn't like this one as much as the first for a couple of reasons. I felt it was very repetitive and nothing really happened. It took me almost a month to finish BUT I finished it and I actually liked it overall. Near the end I wanted to stop reading this series but then Erick happened and I was hooked again. I'm not a big fan of Varis tbh so I'm counting on the side characters to keep me entertained. Now on to the last book in the trilogy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 31, 2009I'm an idiot. Officially, this time. Meant to get the first of the trilogy, as you do, and got this instead. I thought it was a bit hard to get into and couldn't figure out why... Won't rate for that reason...
October 23, 2008
Again, I really enjoyed interviewing this author and I found this an engaging fantasy story.
January 19, 2010
like the first book i just totally loved this book. the author is very talented. i look forward to the next book in this series.
May 23, 2015
Wirr. Dieses Buch ist extrem unübersichtlich und ungeordnet.
Vielleicht liegt es daran, dass ich nicht mit dem ersten Band vertraut bin.
Vielleicht liegt es daran, dass ich nicht mit dem ersten Band vertraut bin.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews