A classic coming-of-age tale set in a vivid and richly imagined world from Sunday Times bestselling author Joe Abercrombie. Joe Abercrombie is probably the brightest star among the new generation of British fantasy writers The Times Joe Abercrombie is doing some terrific work George R.R. Martin WORDS ARE WEAPONS Princess Skara has seen all she loved turned to ashes. She is left with only words. But the right words can be as deadly as any blade. ONLY HALF A WAR IS FOUGHT WITH SWORDS The deep-cunning Father Yarvi has walked a long road from crippled slave to kings minister. But now he faces the greatest army since the elves made war on God. SOMETIMES ONE MUST FIGHT EVIL WITH EVIL Some ? like Thorn Bathu and the sword-bearer Raith ? are born to fight, perhaps to die. Others ? like Brand the smith and Koll the wood-carver ? would rather stand in the light. But when Mother War spreads her iron wings, she may cast the whole Shattered Sea into darkness?