Relics of Ruin

2024 Endeavor Award Winner "Evans skillfully expands the world building while exploring the character depths, with delightful twists that resolve some conflicts while setting up the next book." — Booklist Within the Imperial Archives, the Chapel of the Skeleton Saints holds the ornamented relics of the Orozhandi protectorate's holy sorcerers. And the bones of one misplaced murder victim. Saint Hazaunu of the Wool has stood sentinel in the chapel for nearly a century—but the bones found beneath the floor of a crime scene are inarguably the saint's. While the first question Archivist Superior Amadea Gintanas must ask is how were the bones stolen, the second is who exactly is standing in the saint's niche? And how did they get there? All eyes go to Tunuk, the lonely bone specialist of the Imperial Archives—who isn't talking. Tunuk knows something happened to the saint twelve years ago—but not who took her place or why. But without answers, Tunuk's the obvious suspect for both the murder and the theft—something neither Amadea nor her new apprentice, Quill, believe. While tracing the rumors of a burgeoning attack from beyond the Salt Wall and keeping secrets that could shake the empire, Quill and Amadea must shine a light on a past Tunuk would rather keep in shadow. But when the bones of the saint are stolen again and a saboteur strikes too close to home, all three of them will have to reckon with the possibility all these perils are intimately connected. This edition includes a brand-new illustrated guide to the peoples of the empire. Praise for Relics of Ruin: "Relics of Ruin was a welcome return to a world I have grown very fond of. ... it was another twisty mystery that delved into the complicated politics and history of the empire..." — Fantasy Book Critic "Relics of Ruins is astounding, a worthy continuation to what is amping up to be a new favorite series." — Witty and Sarcastic Book Club "Relics of Ruin was another captivating read in this series that left me wanting to keep peeling away the fantastic layers of this story.... I think its going to be one heck of a thrilling ending that cements the Books of the Usurper as a must-read fantasy series for every fantasy fan out there." — Out of This World Reviews