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The Scarab Path

By Adrian Tchaikovsky
Series: Shadows of the Apt
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Scarab Path is the fifth instalment in Adrian Tchaikovsky's acclaimed Shadows of the Apt epic fantasy series. The war with the Wasp Empire has ended indecisively, leaving the Collegium with few victors but many wounded. Cheerwell Maker faces deep personal scars, while the Wasp Empress reasserts dominance through dark and secretive means known only to her consort, the ex-spymaster Thalric, who faces his own deadly challenges. Beneath an ancient desert city, a dreadful secret begins to awaken, driving the narrative forward with mystery and danger.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book will captivate readers who enjoy epic fantasy imbued with rich worldbuilding and complex, inventive plots. Fans of layered storytelling and speculative fiction will find much to appreciate in Tchaikovsky's work.

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The epic fantasy series of war and empire by Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky continues. The Wasp Empire's conquest over Collegium has halted – for now. But only her former spymaster knows the truth about her sinister powers.

The epic fantasy series of war and empire by Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky continues. The Wasp Empire's conquest over Collegium has halted - for now. But only her former spymaster knows the truth about her sinister powers.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Scarab Path is the fifth book in the critically acclaimed epic fantasy series Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky.

Ancient powers are waking . . .

The war with the Wasp Empire has ended in a bitter stalemate, and Collegium has nothing to show for it but wounded veterans. Cheerwell Maker finds herself broken in ways no doctor can mend, haunted by ghosts of the past. Meanwhile, the powerful Wasp Empress is regaining control over those imperial cities that refused to bow to her. But she draws her power from something more sinister than armies and war machines.

Only her consort, the former spymaster Thalric, knows the truth. As assassins seek to end him, he finds his life and his loyalties under threat once again. And in an ancient city beyond the desert, a terrible secret stirs beneath its stones.

The Scarab Path is followed by the sixth book in the Shadows of the Apt series, The Sea Watch.

Series: Shadows of the Apt

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  • Heirs of the Blade
    Heirs of the Blade is the seventh book in the critically acclaimed epic fantasy series Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky. The greatest foe is the enemy within . . . Tynisa is on the run, but she cannot escape the demons of her own mind. Amidst the fragmenting provinces of the Dragonfly Commonweal, her past will at last...
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  • Blood of the Mantis
    Blood of the Mantis is the third novel in Adrian Tchaikovsky's richly imagined Shadows of the Apt series, following Dragonfly Falling. Stenwold must rally his allies for battle against the Empire, even as it seeks a dangerous artifact of enormous power. A dread ritual casts a deadly shadow... Achaeos the seer has finally tracked down the stolen Shadow Box. But...
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  • Empire in Black and Gold
    Empire in Black and Gold
    From the author of the thrilling science-fiction epic Children of Time, winner of the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award. Empire in Black and Gold is the first instalment in the critically-acclaimed fantasy series Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky. The days of peace are over... The Lowlands' city states have lived in peace for decades, hailed as bastions of...
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  • Salute the Dark
    Salute the Dark
    Salute the Dark is the fourth book in the critically acclaimed epic fantasy series Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky, winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award. As spymaster Stenworld makes a stand in his home city, others must choose where their loyalties lie. All must face the end of days . . . The mighty Wasp armies are...
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  • The Scarab Path
    The Scarab Path
    The Scarab Path is the fifth book in the critically acclaimed epic fantasy series Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Ancient powers are waking . . . The war with the Wasp Empire has ended in a bitter stalemate, and Collegium has nothing to show for it but wounded veterans. Cheerwell Maker finds herself broken in ways no doctor...
    By Adrian Tchaikovsky
    Paperback
    $2999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Sea Watch
    The Sea Watch is the sixth book in the critically acclaimed epic fantasy series Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Danger lurks beneath dark waters . . . A shadow is falling over Collegium. Despite the tenuous peace, Stenwold Maker knows that the Empire will return for his city. Even as he tries to prepare for the resurgence of...
    By Adrian Tchaikovsky
    Paperback
    $2999
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  • War Master's Gate
    War Master's Gate
    War Master's Gate is the ninth book in the critically acclaimed epic fantasy series Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky. A city makes its last stand... The Empire's mighty imperial armies are marching on Collegium once more. They've learnt from past failures and this time their Empress will brook no weakness. Stenwold Maker's aviators still dominate the skies, but...
    By Adrian Tchaikovsky
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  • Dragonfly Falling
    Dragonfly Falling is the second book in the critically acclaimed epic fantasy series Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Every hero must be tested... The Wasp Empire's armies are on the move, and the city of Tark will be the first to feel their might. Salma and Totho prepare for battle, alongside their Ant-kinden brethren. Within Tark's walls, they...
    By Adrian Tchaikovsky
    Paperback
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praised for its imaginative worldbuilding and extreme inventiveness, The Scarab Path continues to uphold the series' reputation as one of the best epic fantasy series available. Reviewers highlight the gripping, original storytelling and multi-layered characters, with SciFiNow calling it "brimming with imagination," and LEC Book Reviews and Fantasy Book Critic endorsing its speculative innovation and smart, surprising narrative.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529050349

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 July 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Tor

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 47.0mm

Width: 131.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 486g

Pages: 720

Collections

Adrian Tchaikovsky Education & Reference Fantasy Fiction General Fiction Sci-Fi & Fantasy Science & Nature Science Fiction Series: Shadows of the Apt

About the Author

Adrian Tchaikovsky was born in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, and headed off to university in Reading to study psychology and zoology. For reasons unclear even to himself, he subsequently ended up in law. Adrian has since worked as a legal executive in both Reading and Leeds and now writes full time. He also lives in Leeds, with his wife and son. Adrian is a keen live role-player and occasional amateur actor. He has also trained in stage-fighting and keeps no exotic or dangerous pets of any kind - possibly excepting his son. Adrian is the author of the critically acclaimed Shadows of the Apt series, the Echoes of the Fall series and other novels, novellas and short stories. The Tiger and the Wolf won the British Fantasy Award for Best Fantasy Novel - and Children of Time won the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Best Science Fiction Novel. This was in the award's thirtieth anniversary year.

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