Engineer Trilogy

3 primary works Complete

Devices And Desires

by K. J. Parker

Published 7 April 2005

When an engineer is sentenced to death for a petty transgression of guild law, he flees the city, leaving behind his wife and daughter. Forced into exile, he seeks a terrible vengeance - one that will leave a trail of death and destruction in its wake. But he will not be able to achieve this by himself. He must draw up his plans using the blood of others ...In a compelling tale of intrigue and injustice, K. J. Parker's embittered hero takes up arms against his enemies, using the only weapons he has left to him: his ingenuity and his passion - his devices and desires.

Evil For Evil

by K. J. Parker

Published 7 December 2006

'This is grown-up fantasy blessed with humour, intelligence and... panache. A bravura display of intricate storytelling and artfully-doled-out revelations.' - SFX

'A richly textured and emotionally complex fantasy...Highly recommended.' - Library Journal (Starred Review)

The engineer Ziani Vaatzes designed and built a war. Thousands died as a consequence of his elaborate plan.

The civil servant Manuo Psellus took the decision that started the war. The very foundations of his world are now threatened.

The ruler Duke Valens brought the war on himself. Now he must decide whether to sacrifice his country to save his people.

They embarked on the war for their own reasons, but as it takes on a life of its own they find they've become components in their own machine. And the machine, it seems, has one purpose: to render evil for evil.

The follow-up to Devices and Desires continues to push the boundaries of fantasy fiction in a fast-moving mix of politics, action and intelligent world-building.

Books by K.J. Parker:

Fencer Trilogy
The Colours in the Steel
The Belly of the Bow
The Proof House

Scavenger Trilogy
Shadow
Pattern
Memory

Engineer Trilogy
Devices and Desires
Evil for Evil
The Escapement

Saloninus
Blue and Gold
The Devil You Know

Two of Swords
The Two of Swords: Part 1
The Two of Swords: Part 2
The Two of Swords: Part 3

Novels
The Company
The Folding Knife
The Hammer
Sharps
Savages
Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City
My Beautiful Life

The Escapement

by K. J. Parker

Published 6 December 2007

Condemned to death, the engineer Ziani Vaatzes escaped from Mezentia. His implacable determination to return home led him to contrive an intricate plan to bring down the Republic, a plan which require a war. He regrets the deaths. But he had no choice. Duke Valens dragged his people into the war to save the life of one woman. Then he killed her husband. Now, allied to the nomadic barbarians who have the manpower to defeat Mezentia, the Duke regrets the evil he's done. But he had no choice. Secretary Psellus never wanted to rule the Republic, or fight a desperate siege for its survival. Trying to make sense of how it all happened, he finds himself compelled to investigate the circumstances of Vaatzes' crime. He is terrified of what he might find out, but he has no choice. The machine has been built. All that remains is to set it in motion.