Shorefall

1

"The gates are just ahead, said Gregor. Get ready.

Sancia took a breath and steeled herself as their carriage lumbered through the pouring rain. She could see the lights atop the campo walls from here, bright and sharp and cold, but little more than that. She rubbed her hands together, her fingertips trailing over the calluses on her palms and knuckles, now a shadow of what they d been during the prime of her thieving days.

Berenice reached over, grabbed her hands, and gave them both a squeeze. Just remember the plan, she said. Remember that, and nothing will go wrong.

I remember the plan, said Sancia. I just also remember there s a lot of spots in the plan that say, Sancia improvises a bunch of shit. Which is not, you know, comforting.

We aren t getting nervous back there, are we? said Orso from the pilot s cockpit. He turned around to look at them, his faded blue eyes wide and wild in his dark, craggy face.

A little anxiety, said Berenice, is understandable under these circumstances.

But being as we ve worked our asses off for the better part of six months to get here, said Orso, I m a lot less willing to understand it.

Orso . . . said Gregor.

We are just scrivers going to make a deal with a merchant house, said Orso, turning back around. Just four grubby scrivers looking to sell our designs and make some quick cash. That s all. Nothing to worry about.

I see the walls, said Gregor. He adjusted the wheel of the carriage and slowed its progress to a crawl.

Orso peered forward. Uh. Well. I will admit that is a little worrying.

The walls of the Michiel Body Corporate campo emerged from the driving rain. It looked like the Michiels had made some substantial additions since Sancia had last seen them. For starters, the walls were now about forty feet taller, spackled with new gray masonry ­that must have taken some work. But it was what sat on top of the new masonry that caught her attention: a

Robert Jackson Bennett is the author of Foundryside and the Divine Cities trilogy, which was a 2018 Hugo Awards finalist in the Best Series category. The first book in the series, City of Stairs, was also a finalist for the World Fantasy and Locus Awards, and the second, City of Blades, was a finalist for the World Fantasy, Locus, and British Fantasy Awards. His previous novels, which include American Elsewhere and Mr. Shivers, have received the Edgar Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, and the Philip K. Dick Citation of Excellence. He lives in Austin with his family.

The book I ve most thoroughly and uncomplicatedly enjoyed this year so far. It shocked and delighted and upset me from page to page, managing to thread humor and pathos and intrigue together with the speed and precision of a loom. Its comments on our present moment are so deft and sly that when they turn earnest it s deeply affecting . . . [and] sometimes brought me to tears. . . . I m so excited to see what happens next. Amal El-Mohtar, The New York Times

Shorefall is a slice of genius slathered with unfiltered madness; it is an innovation on invention. I want to scrive in this world, to create and experiment with Berenice and Orso, to scale towers and improvise with Sancia, to fight battles and defend my friends with Gregor. I loved this book. Fantasy Book Review

The large-scale conflicts, new characters, and climactic ending set the stage for more exciting action and adventure to come in the complex, ever-expanding world of the series. Booklist (starred review)
 
Bennett s characterization . . . strikes a perfect balance between terror and allure. This thrilling installment will leave readers eager for the series finale. Publishers Weekly
 
An expertly spun yarn by one of the best fantasy writers on the scene today. Kirkus Reviews