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The Zero Enigma #13
The King's Secret
For centuries, the Kingdoms of Tintagel and Garstang have been rivals, battling endlessly over the borderlands with neither kingdom able to win a decisive victory, let alone knock the other out once and for all. But now, Garstang has unlocked the secret of recreating ancient war machines and unleashed an army out of nightmares, a magical-mechanical force grinding its way through once-impregnable defences and advancing on Shallot. Giant metal monsters stalk the land, crawling metal locusts tear through walls and defences, flying machines hover overhead or roam far behind the lines. And nothing can stand in their way.
For Lucy Lamplighter, disgraced and sent into de facto exile after the civil unrest in Shallot, the war represents a chance to redeem herself, even at extreme risk to her life. For Adam Mortimer, reeling after the events in Kirkhaven, the war represents a challenge that can neither be denied nor won. But as both monarchs reveal their secrets, and newer weapons of war take the field, devastating the land around them, it becomes clear that the price of victory will be terrifyingly high …
And in the shadows, the real threat is slowly inching into the light.
For Lucy Lamplighter, disgraced and sent into de facto exile after the civil unrest in Shallot, the war represents a chance to redeem herself, even at extreme risk to her life. For Adam Mortimer, reeling after the events in Kirkhaven, the war represents a challenge that can neither be denied nor won. But as both monarchs reveal their secrets, and newer weapons of war take the field, devastating the land around them, it becomes clear that the price of victory will be terrifyingly high …
And in the shadows, the real threat is slowly inching into the light.
- GenresFantasy
431 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 4, 2025
War Strategy
This series started out about Cat Aguirre. It's evolved to be about the magic. A war has broken out. Who has better understanding of espionage, magic theory, objects and devices of power?
This series started out about Cat Aguirre. It's evolved to be about the magic. A war has broken out. Who has better understanding of espionage, magic theory, objects and devices of power?
August 13, 2025
Betrayal Redeemed?
The civil was in Shallot becomes background to foreign invasion with overwhelming forces. Can opposing groups survive? Will civilization recover without aristocrats regaining power?
The civil was in Shallot becomes background to foreign invasion with overwhelming forces. Can opposing groups survive? Will civilization recover without aristocrats regaining power?
July 21, 2026
Lost 2 stars for NOT writing a Recap.
I think every reader needs to start doing this to force authors to write a quick Recap chapter, which readers can skip if they remember, and those who don't won't stop reading the series.
I think every reader needs to start doing this to force authors to write a quick Recap chapter, which readers can skip if they remember, and those who don't won't stop reading the series.
July 14, 2025
Hard read
This author I used to love. But he has given in to word count and deadlines. Story had too much detail upon detail.
This author I used to love. But he has given in to word count and deadlines. Story had too much detail upon detail.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews