Next March, Gollancz are due to publish THE TWO-FACED QUEEN, the highly-anticipated sequel to Nick Martell‘s debut, THE KINGDOM OF LIARS. Picking up right where the first book left off, here’s the synopsis…

Michael Kingman thought he was going to die by the executioner’s axe, forever labelled as a traitor.

Still alive, and under the protection of the Orbis Mercenary company, Michael and his family and friends are deeply involved in the seemingly rival conspiracies that are tearing The Hollows apart.

With the death of the King, both the Corrupt Prince and his sister Serena are vying for the throne, while the Rebel Emperor is spreading lies amongst the people, and all of them want Michael dead. This is a story of betrayal, murder, and rebellion, and in this direct sequel to the debut novel The Kingdom of Liars, also some hope for justice.

For readers who love the intrigue and widening scope of epic fantasy like Sanderson’s Mistborn and Week’s The Black Prism, this is your next must-read fantasy series.

THE TWO-FACED QUEEN has already received an early (starred) review from Kirkus, which stated, ‘Simply put, this series is a masterclass in grand-scale storytelling. The future of epic fantasy is here—and this saga is it.’

The first novel in the Legacy of Mercenary Kings series was extremely well-received and widely-acclaimed. Here is just a small selection taken from the great reviews…

‘A symphony of loyalty, greed, family, and betrayal set in an innovative culture!’ – Tamora Pierce, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Tempests and Slaughter

‘With a smartly plotted story, great world-building, flawed but fascinating characters and plenty of mystery, THE KINGDOM OF LIARS is a terrific debut’ – James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost

‘Nick Martell’s debut THE KINGDOM OF LIARS lives up to its name, with so many truths and lies interwoven that nothing is as it seems and surprises lurk across every turn of the page. Michael’s tale is nothing, if not thrilling.’ – Ryan Van Loan, author of The Sin in the Steel

‘An impressive fantasy debut that creates a solid foundation for (hopefully) a much larger narrative to come…’ – Kirkus Reviews

‘This smart, briskly told high fantasy entertains all the way until the unexpected end’ – Publishers Weekly

‘… impressive and highly ambitious epic fantasy debut… Martell’s portrayal of his protagonist’s growth, from a cocksure chancer to a mature adult sobered by his discoveries, is just as impressive as the twisty plot.’ — Guardian

‘THE KINGDOM OF LIARS is a tale of family, loyalty and leaving a legacy that none shall forget. This is certainly a book that you won’t be able to put down, and will linger with you long after you’ve read the last page.’ — Fantasy Hive

Zeno represents Nick Martell in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.