The Trouble With Peace

Second in the AGE OF MADNESS trilogy, THE TROUBLE WITH PEACE is the next instalment of a series which is revolutionising fantasy . . . Conspiracy. Betrayal. Rebellion. Peace is just another kind of battlefield . . . Savine dan Glokta, once Adua's most powerful investor, finds her judgement, fortune and reputation in tatters. But she still has all her ambitions, and no scruple will be permitted to stand in her way. For heroes like Leo dan Brock and Stour Nightfall, only happy with swords drawn, peace is an ordeal to end as soon as possible. But grievances must be nursed, power seized and allies gathered first, while Rikke must master the power of the Long Eye . . . before it kills her. Unrest worms into every layer of society. The Breakers still lurk in the shadows, plotting to free the common man from his shackles, while noblemen bicker for their own advantage. Orso struggles to find a safe path through the maze of knives that is politics, only for his enemies, and his debts, to multiply. The old ways are swept aside, and the old leaders with them, but those who would seize the reins of power will find no alliance, no friendship, and no peace, lasts forever. Praise for A LITTLE HATRED, Book one in THE AGE OF MADNESS 'All told within a complex, fascinating plot that will keep you up long after bed time.' - THE SUN 'Funny and sardonic, violent and compelling.' - GUARDIAN 'A tale of brute force and subtle magic on the cusp of an industrial revolution ... Buckle your seat belts for this one.' - ROBIN HOBB 'Crammed with characters and detail, the intricately woven story never slackens its merciless grip.' - DAILY MAIL 'A LITTLE HATRED is one of Abercrombie's best books yet.' - SFX 'Could scratch an itch for anyone missing Game Of Thrones.' - DEN OF GEEK 'Abercrombie at his gritty best and the opening to a new trilogy that could prove to be a masterpiece of fantasy fiction' - STARBURST 'There is no one that writes this stuff like Abercrombie... nothing to hate here, even a little' - SFF WORLD Joe Abercrombie is doing some terrific work - George R. R. Martin 'No one writes with the seismic scope or primal intensity of Joe Abercrombie' Pierce Brown 'Delightfully twisted and evil' The Guardian 'Witty, Bloody and fun' Nicholas Eames 'A vivid and jolting tale' Robin Hobb

Joe Abercrombie was born in Lancaster, England, studied psychology at Manchester University, and worked as an editor of documentaries and live music before his first book, The Blade Itself, was published in 2006. Two further instalments of the First Law trilogy, Before They Are Hanged, and Last Argument of Kings, followed, along with three standalone books set in the same world: Best Served Cold, The Heroes and Red Country. He has also written the Shattered Sea trilogy for young adults, the Age of Madness trilogy for old adults, and Sharp Ends, a collection of short stories. He lives in Bath, England, with his wife and three children.