3157 B.C. At the eastern edge of the great southern desert in Mesopotamia, men are at war. Roaming bandits desperate for food, water, women, and slaves ravage vulnerable town. Yet one thing eludes them: gold. A rogue named Ariamus has joined forces with Korthac, a fierce bandit who saved his life, and together they set their sights on the impenetrable walled city of Akkad, ruled by the former barbarian Eskkar and his enchanting wife Trella. Korthac devises a brilliant plan to conquer the city from within. Slipping into Akkad in disguise, he will gradually win the trust of Trella. While Eskkar is away, bringing other towns into his burgeoning empire, Korthac and Ariamus will strike, wreaking havoc on the city in a way it never expects.Told with rich historical detail and full of violence, sex, passion, and battles reminiscent of the best of Bernard Cornwell, "Empire Rising" is a marvellous trip into the past. 'A lusty debut. The imminent raid by the barbarians creates an inherent, delicious sense of tension throughout, until the final unleashing of pure, bloody slaughter.' - Kirkus. "'Dawn of Empire" reminds me a lot of Wilbur Smith at his best.
Beautifully imagined and researched adventure, with terrific action!' - Diana Gabaldon.
- ISBN10 1846050499
- ISBN13 9781846050497
- Publish Date 1 May 2008 (first published 25 September 2007)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 8 January 2009
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Cornerstone
- Imprint Century
- Format Paperback (UK Trade)
- Pages 480
- Language English