Empire in Black and Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Shadows of the Apt: Book 1)

Seventeen years ago Stenwold witnessed the Wasp Empire storming the city of Myna in a brutal war of conquest.

Since then he has preached vainly against this threat in his home city of Collegium, but now the Empire is on the march, with its spies and its armies everywhere, and the Lowlands lie directly in its path.

All the while, Stenwold has been training youthful agents to fight the Wasp advance, and the latest recruits include his niece, Che, and his mysterious ward, Tynisa. When his home is violently attacked, he is forced to send them ahead of him and, hotly pursued, they fly by airship to Helleron, the first city in line for the latest Wasp invasion.

Stenwold and Che are Beetle-kinden, one of many human races that take their powers and inspiration each from a totem insect, but he also has allies of many breeds: Mantis, Spider, Ant, with their own particular skills.

Foremost is the deadly Mantis-kinden warrior, Tisamon, but other very unlikely allies also join the cause. As things go from bad to worse amid escalating dangers, Stenwold learns that the Wasps intend to use the newly completed railroad between Helleron and Collegium to launch a lightning strike into the heart of the Lowlands.

Then he gathers all of his agents to force a final showdown in the engine yard...

9/10 Solid, innovative debut with plenty of potential.

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4 positive reader review(s) for Empire in Black and Gold

Adrian Tchaikovsky biography

Empire in Black and Gold reader reviews

from Winchester

Now have all 6 of this series by a great new writer - and waiting for number 7 with baited breath - a truly new concept of man/insect symbiosis.
10/10 ()

from Jakarta

Shadow of the Apt is my new favourite series. It's exciting and I can't wait to read the whole of this series...
9/10 ()

from Manchester

This is a thoroughly enjoyable read: action-packed, featuring innovative twists and turns. Good, solid fantasy and I am looking forward to the sequel.
8/10 ()

from Bridgend

I really enjoyed this novel and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. The insect characteristics have given these books a fresh voice.
9/10 ()

8.9/10 from 5 reviews

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