Tor.com is very excited to reveal the title and the cover of the third novel in Brian’s Staveley’s Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne series! The Last Mortal Bond brings to an epic conclusion the saga of Imperial siblings Kaden, Adare, and Valyn, and their conflicting struggles to save their murdered father’s empire.
Richard Anderson, cover artist for The Emperor’s Blades and The Providence of Fire, returns to render the final cover in Staveley’s trilogy, which features Kettral soldier Gwenna fighting to pull her former teammate Valyn to safety while their giant black riding hawk dominates the background.
“This is hands-down my favorite of Anderson’s three covers for the series,” Staveley says. “It captures so many things that are central to the book: the desperation, the camaraderie, and the sheer skull-splitting badassery of the Kettral.”
Below is the original concept sketch provided by Staveley. Tor Senior Editor Marco Palmieri explains, “The author’s astonishing vision was a shining light guiding the artist’s hand.”
The piece is a controversial one, primed to enter history as one of the most argued over works in Brian Staveley’s long career. Is Gwenna smiling or is she frowning? Academics argue that it is both; a wry commentary on the duplicitous nature of man, of the mutualistic relationship between thought and action, the internal and the external. We see this theme further reflected in Valyn’s double-mouthed visage.
Deeper yet, perhaps Valyn is the only single-mouthed person in a deceptive double-mouthed world, and that is simply Gwenna’s leg on his face, having flown clean off her body, wrapping around Valyn’s head like an errant sock.
Anarchists will tell you that none of this matters. That Staveley’s work clearly indicates that this world is over and that only a giant f#$%ing hawk can carry us to redemption.
One thing is certain: the end is coming and nothing is as it seems.
The Last Mortal Bond arrives in 2016.
Can’t. Wait.
This is my personal “most wished for” book release anytime soon.
I just pre-ordered it.
It should be interesting to read about Daniel Craig. :)
Current mood: barely contained excitment.
Can’t wait for this book.
Waith, March 16th and not January? Misery is my friend :(
I stand corrected: March 15th, not 16th. Still friends with Mr. Misery :(
Oooooooooo, can’t wait!! So excited!
I mean, I knew he could write… But an artist too? That’s what we call a double threat ladies and gentlemen.
wow! when are the excerpts going to come? :)
Fantastic, once again!
Why when I started this amazing series did I assume this was going to be more than a trilogy! Sad to hear it ends after the next book but that cover art is amazing. Only slight better than Brian’s concept art, however ;)
I love it! The Kettral do indeed look badass, and those red accents to the wash of greys and blacks are fantastic. Can’t wait to give it a read!
Gwenna has a killer mustache
Is this available as a paperback
Will the UK be graced with a visit in 2017 on the release of Skullsworn? It would be great to meet up with your growing UK fans base.