Venice stands victorious. It has beaten back the German emperor's army and the Byzantine navy. The Duchess Alexa's party at court is strong again. Her niece, Lady Giulietta, will be the next Regent, and possibly the next duchess. Giulietta's lover, Lord Tycho, will sit beside her.

But no one is prepared for the fury of Prince Alonzo, exiled regent and traitor to his city. No one is prepared for the harshest winter Europe has ever known. As the canals of Venice freeze and wolves cross the ice from the north, Alonzo's plotting brings the Venetian empire to the very edge of destruction.

With the Millioni family at war with itself, Lord Tycho, once a slave and a trained assassin, has to ask himself the only question that matters. How much is he prepared to sacrifice to keep Lady Giulietta's city safe?

Review

"A splendid novel that combines the best elements of metaphysical horror and escapist yarn"—SFX on *The Outcast Blade*

"Grimwood adroitly combines a satisfying complexity with visceral detail and bouts of astounding violence, knit together by suitably Machiavellian intrigue."—Kirkus Reviews on *The Fallen Blade*

"Sharp as a stiletto, dark and dazzling as a masquerade. Grimwood's Venice is totally compelling."—Mike Carey on *The Fallen Blade*

"Gritty, grimy, decadent and compelling"—Sunday Times (UK) on *The Fallen Blade*

"The climax is quick moving and vivid - this is a real page-turner."—RT Book Reviews (4-1/2 Stars) on *The Fallen Blade*

About the Author

Jon Courtenay Grimwood has been shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award twice and the BSFA Award for Best Novel seven times, winning twice. He lives in Winchester with his wife, novelist and editor-in-chief of RED magazine, Sam Baker.