The War Beyond - (The Hollow Covenant) by Andrea Stewart (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Hakara risked her life to find her long-lost sister Rasha, only to lose her all over again. Now she and her Unanointed rebels hunt for the shapeshifter Lithuas, knowing that defeating her would strike a blow to the plans of the tyrant god Kluehnn. Rasha once longed to be reunited with Hakara. No longer. Now she is a Godkiller and proud to serve Kluehnn's divine will. Yet she also harbours doubts about Kluehnn's teachings. When she is sent to destroy Hakara and her allies, Rasha will have to decide where her loyalty truly lies. As the two sisters hurtle towards a bloody reunion, Sheuan continues her shadowy games of intrigue to uncover the secret that killed her father, while her cousin Mullayne seeks the tomb of Tolemne. There, Mull believes he'll find the answers he desires"--

Book Synopsis

In this thrilling sequel to the Sunday Times bestseller The Gods Below, loyalties will be tested, long-lost secrets will be revealed, and two sisters will face each other on the battlefield as the war between the gods ignites.

Hakara risked her life to find her long-lost sister Rasha, only to lose her all over again. Now she and her Unanointed rebels hunt for the shapeshifter Lithuas, knowing that defeating her would strike a blow to the plans of the tyrant god Kluehnn.

Rasha once longed to be reunited with Hakara. No longer. Now she is a Godkiller and proud to serve Kluehnn's divine will. Yet she also harbours doubts about Kluehnn's teachings. When she is sent to destroy Hakara and her allies, Rasha will have to decide where her loyalty truly lies.

As the two sisters hurtle towards a bloody reunion, Sheuan continues her shadowy games of intrigue to uncover the secret that killed her father, while her cousin Mullayne seeks the tomb of Tolemne. There, Mull believes he'll find the answers he desires.

Review Quotes

"Stewart continues her incredibly compelling series about gods, mortals, magical gems, and rebellion. Multiple points of view broaden the world-building, and the pacing will enthrall readers of epic fantasy."

--Library Journal (starred review)

"Stewart delivers a vivid, complex fantasy reminiscent of N.K. Jemisin's Inheritance trilogy. Readers will be eager for the trilogy's conclusion."

--Booklist (starred review)

"Impressively epic... The sheer amount of jaw-dropping plot twists and bombshell revelations make this a must-read for fans of grand-scale fantasy."

--Kirkus

"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 on The Gods Below

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

"The Gods Below is the best kind of epic fantasy, balancing breathtakingly imaginative worlds with complex, deeply felt characters. This is a story of ancient gods and magical transformations; it's also the story of desperate people fighting for those they love, and undergoing transformations of different kinds. Intricate, propulsive, and beautiful--I loved it."--H. G. Parry, author of The Magician's Daughter on The Gods Below

"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 on The Gods Below

"In this series launch full of rich worldbuilding and invested characters, Stewart creates a story of families broken and reformed, magic, and the capriciousness of gods."

--Library Journal on The Gods Below

"Stirring... Stewart maintains a good balance between the sisters and their competing goals, creating a fascinating level of moral ambiguity so that readers will feel that each character is justified in making her choices. This promises good things for the series to come."

--Publishers Weekly on The Gods Below

"The Gods Below is as breathtaking as its magic system promises. Expect old gods, altered beings, magic stones, fighting, romance, and rollicking good fun. Stewart's newest series cements her as a bright voice in the fantasy genre."--L. R. Lam, author of Dragonfall on The Gods Below

"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 on The Gods Below

"An unmissable, heart-pounding eco-adventure in a world of raging mortals and warring gods that will leave you breathless. Perfect for fans of The Stormlight Archives."--Kritika H. Rao, author of The Surviving Sky on The Gods Below

"Andrea Stewart is a master of building worlds with a burning, beating heart. This first in her new trilogy is an epic and heart-rending struggle between gods and mortals, lovers and siblings as each must pick a side to survive. Each twist of the tale is a twist of the knife, and every turn drags you closer to a bloody and powerful conclusion. As a reader, I found myself leaping from chapter to chapter, breathless and desperate to find out what happens next. Stewart is a writer of genius and brilliance, and I can't wait to see where this trilogy leads."
--Hannah Kaner, #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Godkiller on The Gods Below

"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 on The Gods Below

"Gripping, beautiful, and full of mystery. This book is not to be missed."--Cameron Johnston, author of The Last Shield on The Gods Below

"Stewart's worlds are some of the most exceptionally inventive in modern fantasy. A must read!"--S.A. Chakraborty, New York Times bestselling author of The City of Brass on The Gods Below

About the Author

Andrea Stewart is the daughter of immigrants, and was raised in a number of places across the United States. Her parents always emphasized science and education, so she spent her childhood immersed in Star Trek and odd-smelling library books.

When her (admittedly ambitious) dreams of becoming a dragon slayer didn't pan out, she instead turned to writing books. She now lives in sunny California, and in addition to writing, can be found herding cats, looking at birds, and falling down research rabbit holes.