Empress of Annihilation

Clockwork Thief #4

by Katherine Bogle

Magic. Chaos. Betrayal. Narra has failed. With Marina crowned Empress of Rova, the empire quickly sinks into military rule under the ruthless former princess. While Narra struggles to come up with a new plan, the Daughters are hellbent on beginning her training, and the Thieves want her to step up as the new Guild Master. Above all else, the mother she never knew is back, bringing with her a whole slew of new dangers. With the empire crumbling around her, will Narra be able to stop the new empress and maintain her hold on the Thieves Guild? If she doesn’t, death might be a blessing compared to Rova’s total annihilation. Continue the series readers are calling a “thrill ride” in Empress of Annihilation. Narra has survived so far, but how long will her luck last? Scroll up to claim your copy today!

Genres: Fantasy

300 pages, Paperback

First published November 27, 2018

About the author

Katherine Bogle is the USA Today bestselling author of Queen of Thieves, Her Wolf, I am Alpha and the international bestselling Dominion Rising series.

She first found success with her debut novel, Haven, which came second in the World’s Best Story contest 2015. Since then, she has gone on to release 20+ books with one core theme: kick-butt heroines. Though her series may span genres—from fantasy to steampunk to science fiction—she will always write about strong women overcoming the odds.

Join her newsletter for info on upcoming releases, free stuff and more:
https://katherine-bogle.kit.com/8b426...

Her website:
https://linktr.ee/katherinebogle

NOW AVAILABLE:

Haven (Chronicles of Warshard #1)
Savages (Chronicles of Warshard #2)
Ashen (Chronicles of Warshard #3)
Fyre: A Chronicles of Warshard short story collection
The Blood Amulet: A Chronicles of Warshard Short Story

The Aldar Dominion (Dominion Rising #1)
The Zahkx Alliance (Dominion Rising #2)
The Darri Commission (Dominion Rising #3)
The Stowaway Experiment: A Dominion Rising Short Story
The Smugglers Legion: A Dominion Rising Short Story

Queen of Thieves (Clockwork Thief #1)
Daughter of Chaos (Clockwork Thief #2)
King of Empires (Clockwork Thief #3)
Empress of Annihilation (Clockwork Thief #4)
Harbinger of War (Clockwork Thief #5)
Goddess of Death (Clockwork Thief #6)

Her Wolf (Silver Shifter #1)
Her Dragon (Silver Shifter #2)
Her Bear (Silver Shifter #3)
Her Panther (Silver Shifter #4)

Demon's Game (A Soul Collectors Prequel)
Reaper's Fire (Soul Collectors #1)
Reaper's Fate (Soul Collectors #2)

Cruel Monsters (Standalone)

I am Alpha (Rise of the Beast Queen #1)
They Call me Beast (Rise of the Beast Queen #2)

Shifter's Promise (Standalone)

COMING SOON:

Bow to your Queen (Rise of the Beast Queen #3)

Reviews

[R]

Exciting, riveting, and exhilirating. This story has it all 'in spades' as the saying goes.
Narra has many battles on her hands at the moment. Injured very badly by a fight with a guard at the palace as she was fleeing, she struggled to get herself and the pirate captain, Avalon, out of the clutches of the new Empress.

From disloyalty amongst family members, to unexpected romantic thoughts for two of her inner circle if friends. She is surrounded on all sides by danger and betrayal but this plucky fighter doesnt know how to quit. She has the Goddess Ashra on her side and along with her small group of friends she faces down each and every threat.

I must admit to a real admiration for the ìauthor for creating such a complex and multi faceted character that Narra is. I love her quirks and little foibles..shes very easy to like and become invested in.

When I began this book, I had high expectations, based on the previous books in the series. I was therefore happily surprised with the way that the author had knit together this wonderful history. With the same fast but steady pace that the story has, one gets utterly swept up with the full range of feelings that this book evokes in them.

I thoroughily enjoyed this captivating story, and I absolutely loved reading about the sceming and craftiness of Narra's mother, Khlara.
She is not what I was expecting. Instead of the warm, emotionally connected mother that Narra desperately needs, Khlara is someone totally different, although she hides it well. I look forward to these two strong minded ladies going head to head. That will be thrilling reading no doubt. Family feuds are always so deliciously wicked and incredibly full of overwhelming emotions. It's like watching a scene from a good film where the lead characters face off in a cowboy movie.

I wish there had been more information about Narra's horrid father; I wanted to learn more from Khlara about him.
But sadly, she didn't seem inclined to impart any new information about him.

This story was an awesome read, which is chocful of action and is full to the brimful of sceming and the revenge of injustices. It is a rip roaring battle of two halves; both the physical and the mental, and as such, it's second to none in vicious, bloodthirsty, villainy.
I absolutely loved how Narra decided to deal with her unkind mother in this story. I also think the inclusion of the goddess of death, Ashra, and her daughter Ria into the series was absolutely brilliant. They add a really unusual aspect to the story, but they work in a more physical than spiritual form, which worked extremely well in this series of books.

Over all, I liked this story for its honesty. Narra is a straight forward girl, who plays her cards close to her chest. She is an incredibly complex yet sinple character, who makes no apology for who she is or the things she has to do to stay alive. For that, above all else, I like her.

I am now thoroughly excited, looking forward to reading the next book in the series, especially as this one ended on a cliff edge!
Oh Erik, what have you done? Will Narra understand your motives, and more importantly, will she forgive you, or will she feel the need to take revenge? I can't wait to find out!

[Natasha Clark-French]

So I've Loved these books prior to this one but I'm sick of the pattern that's happening in the beginning of the last couple of books and the writing seems to have regressed so it just feels like a bunch of action and lacks the beauty the series previously thrived on.
The very first chapter in this book literally feels like the next chapter in the last book and not like the start of a new book at all. It starts exactly where the last books ends, no scene setting or reminding you what the characters are even in the middle doing or or what's happened to them or anything. Just BAM, right back in the middle of a crazy situation without a pause. I HATE THAT! It makes the series feel like one giant run-on book rather than separate books, each with their own plot points and goals, character arcs, ect. Instead of being known as "Book 2, Book 3, Book 4" they should be called episodes because they don't truly feel like they qualify as separate books. And I don't like being forced to either read an entire series at once or have to look up the last chapter of the last book just so I know the exact scene I'm stepping into since the author gives us absolutely no context about any of that in the start of this book. I was irritated when I had to do that with King of Empires so when I opened Empress of Annihilation and realized the author did the exact same thing I said "screw it" I would just keep going, finish this book and then see how I felt by the end.
As for the writing: the books had already started to feel rushed, like they're just trying to get as much action in as possible, at the cost of the beautiful scenes that had previously been set and those beautiful scenes are the reason I loved the books so much. I can find action and intrigue in pretty much every book on my shelves but I can't find the dark, glittering beauty that the author had previously enraptured me with in many of those other books on my shelves. King of Empires had a slight lack of it and this book was so deficient in it that I ended up not even liking the book at all despite the significant character growth that happened with Narra in this book. I think the author needs to focus more on quality of her books and less on speedy publishing. I absolutely loved this series at first but now I'm so disappointed with this book and how the author has decided to begin each book that I don't have much of a desire to continue read Book 5 which makes me sad because I truly loved the beginning of this series.

•I don't recommend this book and don't think I'll be continuing this series.

*I volunteered to read and honestly review an ARC of this book*

[Andrea Stoeckel]

“Her entire body felt heavy and tired. Not from lack of sleep or overexertion, but from all the fighting she’d been doing. Fighting herself, fighting the Guild, fighting her mother, fighting Marina and fighting the Daughters. Every day she fought someone on some level. It was exhausting.”

In this, the 4th of the Clockwork Thief series, Narra Rhelka must come to terms with what she wants over what she needs, and just like a maturing woman, she’s beginning to deal with “different” loyalties to people as well as ideals. With Marina’s overthrow still her ultimate goal, Narra has to deal with love, betrayal and possibly death as she grows into her life as the Guildmaster and how her last apprentices died, questioning just how Asher Grayson would deal with personal revenge as he foments the uprising that, if it succeeds, will take Marina- his niece- off the throne forever.

Meanwhile, how Narra deals with her own loyalty to Lady Death is questioned but has no resolution in this book as Rhelka’s life lines up with what the fates have planned, leaving the reader breathless with anticipation for the next book in the series. Highly Recommended 5/5

[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it]

[Saundra Wright]

Katherine Bogle’s storytelling ability keeps reader coming back for more. If you love Steampunk, epic dramas, and a bit of a love interest, this series is for you. It has mass appeal for all readers.

After their plan to steal the Rovan crown, and thus prevent Marina from being crowned Empress, fails, Narra and Avalon barely make a daring escape from the palace. Narra will have to regroup with her allies and come up with another plan.

Before that Narra needs to ensure her mother’s safety. With assassins after her mother Narra knows her mother will have to leave again. In an attempt to keep her safe, Narra introduces her mother to Lady Death. If she becomes one of Ashra’s maidens she will be safe. However Ashra tells Narra that her mother is hiding something from her.

What could Narra’s mother be hiding? Will a plan to take down the Empress finally work out? And what of the thieves Guild? Will they be able to get back to business as usual?

[The Mysterious Reader]

I am totally addicted to Katherine Bogle’s Clockwork Thief series. Empress of Annihilation (Book 4) is a perfect example of why. The publisher’s blurb hails it for its “Magic. Chaos. Betrayal.” All true. This is Game of Thrones on steroids. Increasingly complex but still totally understandable. A plot with great action, thrills and adventure and with a lead (Narra) who is simply perfect plus a wonderfully complex and fully developed cast of supporting characters who are just superb. Most importantly though is that this book is simply a lot of fun. Can’t to much better than that in my opinion. I’m glad I downloaded the book. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Kaye]

ONE HOT ADVENTURE!!!
Man, talk about running the course. This is one action packed, fast paced, hard hitting, pulse racing, nailbiting, spine tingling, heart pounding, page turning tale that's as riveting as it is captivating. All the twists and turns, unexpected circumstances and unpredictable surprises around every corner make for incredible experience. The drama, intrigue, mystery, fear, heartache, danger and suspense increases steadily as the tension spirals and the plot thickens. The characters and scenes are written with such realism it really pulls this bad boy together beautifully. Fantastic job Katherine, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.

[Christina Luberts]

Still love this series. We have action, intrigue, hate, love, mystery and more. Marina Has the crown now, how can they get it away from her now? Narra has the guild for now, but her mother is back. Can they be mother and daughter or will something keep them apart? What is up with Erik? What are all these feelings she is having? Why is everyone out for her? What will Asher do when he gets his sons body back? Can’t wait to see what happens next. I received a free copy for my honest review.

[Karl Poff]

Disappointing

So I was.intrigued with first book thought it had promise, the second continues in the same gain but by book 3 I was disappointed in the direction of the main character. Her continued lack of for thought her stunted emotional growth was simply disappointing and the author never really developed the sisters and the relationship to last death. By book 4 I knew I wouldn't bother with the last two books I had lost all interest in the main character

[Ken Lee]

My favorite book of the series so far. Now that the main characters are fully developed, the story flows nicely. Not as much action in this installment but lots of plot development and a couple of twists. Rheka continues to get stronger and the little bit of love interest adds more dimension to the story.