The Mercy of Gods

**THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER** 'THE START OF SOMETHING TRULY EPIC' Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga 'DAZZLING . . . THIS IS SPACE OPERA AT ITS BEST' Publishers Weekly From the New York Times bestselling author of the Expanse comes a spectacular new space opera that sees humanity fighting for its survival in a war as old as the universe itself. Invasion is only the beginning . . . The Carryx - part empire, part hive - has waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy in its conflict with an ancient and deathless enemy. When they descend on the isolated world of Anjiin, the human population is abased, slaughtered and put in chains. The best and brightest are abducted, taken to the Carryx world-palace to join prisoners from a thousand other species. Dafyd Alkhor, assistant to a prestigious scientist, is captured along with his team. Even he doesn't suspect that his peculiar insight and skills will be the key to seeing past their captors ' terrifying agenda. Swept up in a conflict beyond his control and vaster than his imagination, Dafyd is poised to become humanity's champion - and its betrayer. This is where his story begins. ' The beginning of what could be Corey's most epic - and entertaining - series yet. Simply mind-blowing' Kirkus 'No one builds a universe like James S. A. Corey. When it ends, all you'll want is . . . more' John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author 'Terrifying alien overlords and a vast intergalactic war with humankind on the brink of annihilation . . The Mercy of the Gods is the start of something truly epic' Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga 'Like The Expanse, The Mercy of Gods balances cosmic stakes with an astonishingly powerful human drama. Pitch-perfect storytelling ' M. R. Carey, author of The Girl With All the Gifts 'A fast-paced, intelligent book. Corey is always one of the most engaging voices in the genre' A drian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time ' The Mercy of Gods radiates the dread and revelation of first contact, shaping new worlds and cultures that had me riveted' Bethany Jacobs, author of These Burning Stars 'All the things you want in an alien invasion novel: overwhelming aliens, end-of-world terror, and plucky humans who never stop fighting . . . A bang-up read. I want more ' Paolo Bacigalupi, New York Times bestselling author 'A powerful, provocative masterpiece that I will be thinking about for a very long time' Ryka Aoki, author of Light from Uncommon Stars

**THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER** 'THE START OF SOMETHING TRULY EPIC' Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga 'DAZZLING . . . THIS IS SPACE OPERA AT ITS BEST' Publishers Weekly From the New York Times bestselling author of the Expanse comes a spectacular new space opera that sees humanity fighting for its survival in a war as old as the universe itself. Invasion is only the beginning . . . The Carryx - part empire, part hive - has waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy in its conflict with an ancient and deathless enemy. When they descend on the isolated world of Anjiin, the human population is abased, slaughtered and put in chains. The best and brightest are abducted, taken to the Carryx world-palace to join prisoners from a thousand other species. Dafyd Alkhor, assistant to a prestigious scientist, is captured along with his team. Even he doesn't suspect that his peculiar insight and skills will be the key to seeing past their captors ' terrifying agenda. Swept up in a conflict beyond his control and vaster than his imagination, Dafyd is poised to become humanity's champion - and its betrayer. This is where his story begins. ' The beginning of what could be Corey's most epic - and entertaining - series yet. Simply mind-blowing' Kirkus 'No one builds a universe like James S. A. Corey. When it ends, all you'll want is . . . more' John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author 'Terrifying alien overlords and a vast intergalactic war with humankind on the brink of annihilation . . The Mercy of the Gods is the start of something truly epic' Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga 'Like The Expanse, The Mercy of Gods balances cosmic stakes with an astonishingly powerful human drama. Pitch-perfect storytelling ' M. R. Carey, author of The Girl With All the Gifts 'A fast-paced, intelligent book. Corey is always one of the most engaging voices in the genre' A drian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time ' The Mercy of Gods radiates the dread and revelation of first contact, shaping new worlds and cultures that had me riveted' Bethany Jacobs, author of These Burning Stars 'All the things you want in an alien invasion novel: overwhelming aliens, end-of-world terror, and plucky humans who never stop fighting . . . A bang-up read. I want more ' Paolo Bacigalupi, New York Times bestselling author 'A powerful, provocative masterpiece that I will be thinking about for a very long time' Ryka Aoki, author of Light from Uncommon Stars

**THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER** 'THE START OF SOMETHING TRULY EPIC' Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga 'DAZZLING . . . THIS IS SPACE OPERA AT ITS BEST' Publishers Weekly From the New York Times bestselling author of the Expanse comes a spectacular new space opera that sees humanity fighting for its survival in a war as old as the universe itself. Invasion is only the beginning . . . The Carryx - part empire, part hive - has waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy in its conflict with an ancient and deathless enemy. When they descend on the isolated world of Anjiin, the human population is abased, slaughtered and put in chains. The best and brightest are abducted, taken to the Carryx world-palace to join prisoners from a thousand other species. Dafyd Alkhor, assistant to a prestigious scientist, is captured along with his team. Even he doesn't suspect that his peculiar insight and skills will be the key to seeing past their captors ' terrifying agenda. Swept up in a conflict beyond his control and vaster than his imagination, Dafyd is poised to become humanity's champion - and its betrayer. This is where his story begins. ' The beginning of what could be Corey's most epic - and entertaining - series yet. Simply mind-blowing' Kirkus 'No one builds a universe like James S. A. Corey. When it ends, all you'll want is . . . more' John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author 'Terrifying alien overlords and a vast intergalactic war with humankind on the brink of annihilation . . The Mercy of the Gods is the start of something truly epic' Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga 'Like The Expanse, The Mercy of Gods balances cosmic stakes with an astonishingly powerful human drama. Pitch-perfect storytelling ' M. R. Carey, author of The Girl With All the Gifts 'A fast-paced, intelligent book. Corey is always one of the most engaging voices in the genre' A drian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time ' The Mercy of Gods radiates the dread and revelation of first contact, shaping new worlds and cultures that had me riveted' Bethany Jacobs, author of These Burning Stars 'All the things you want in an alien invasion novel: overwhelming aliens, end-of-world terror, and plucky humans who never stop fighting . . . A bang-up read. I want more ' Paolo Bacigalupi, New York Times bestselling author 'A powerful, provocative masterpiece that I will be thinking about for a very long time' Ryka Aoki, author of Light from Uncommon Stars

**THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER** 'THE START OF SOMETHING TRULY EPIC' Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga 'DAZZLING . . . THIS IS SPACE OPERA AT ITS BEST' Publishers Weekly From the New York Times bestselling author of the Expanse comes a spectacular new space opera that sees humanity fighting for its survival in a war as old as the universe itself. Invasion is only the beginning . . . The Carryx - part empire, part hive - has waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy in its conflict with an ancient and deathless enemy. When they descend on the isolated world of Anjiin, the human population is abased, slaughtered and put in chains. The best and brightest are abducted, taken to the Carryx world-palace to join prisoners from a thousand other species. Dafyd Alkhor, assistant to a prestigious scientist, is captured along with his team. Even he doesn't suspect that his peculiar insight and skills will be the key to seeing past their captors ' terrifying agenda. Swept up in a conflict beyond his control and vaster than his imagination, Dafyd is poised to become humanity's champion - and its betrayer. This is where his story begins. ' The beginning of what could be Corey's most epic - and entertaining - series yet. Simply mind-blowing' Kirkus 'No one builds a universe like James S. A. Corey. When it ends, all you'll want is . . . more' John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author 'Terrifying alien overlords and a vast intergalactic war with humankind on the brink of annihilation . . The Mercy of the Gods is the start of something truly epic' Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga 'Like The Expanse, The Mercy of Gods balances cosmic stakes with an astonishingly powerful human drama. Pitch-perfect storytelling ' M. R. Carey, author of The Girl With All the Gifts 'A fast-paced, intelligent book. Corey is always one of the most engaging voices in the genre' A drian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time ' The Mercy of Gods radiates the dread and revelation of first contact, shaping new worlds and cultures that had me riveted' Bethany Jacobs, author of These Burning Stars 'All the things you want in an alien invasion novel: overwhelming aliens, end-of-world terror, and plucky humans who never stop fighting . . . A bang-up read. I want more ' Paolo Bacigalupi, New York Times bestselling author 'A powerful, provocative masterpiece that I will be thinking about for a very long time' Ryka Aoki, author of Light from Uncommon Stars

**THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER** 'THE START OF SOMETHING TRULY EPIC' Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga 'DAZZLING . . . THIS IS SPACE OPERA AT ITS BEST' Publishers Weekly From the New York Times bestselling author of the Expanse comes a spectacular new space opera that sees humanity fighting for its survival in a war as old as the universe itself. Invasion is only the beginning . . . The Carryx - part empire, part hive - has waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy in its conflict with an ancient and deathless enemy. When they descend on the isolated world of Anjiin, the human population is abased, slaughtered and put in chains. The best and brightest are abducted, taken to the Carryx world-palace to join prisoners from a thousand other species. Dafyd Alkhor, assistant to a prestigious scientist, is captured along with his team. Even he doesn't suspect that his peculiar insight and skills will be the key to seeing past their captors ' terrifying agenda. Swept up in a conflict beyond his control and vaster than his imagination, Dafyd is poised to become humanity's champion - and its betrayer. This is where his story begins. ' The beginning of what could be Corey's most epic - and entertaining - series yet. Simply mind-blowing' Kirkus 'No one builds a universe like James S. A. Corey. When it ends, all you'll want is . . . more' John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author 'Terrifying alien overlords and a vast intergalactic war with humankind on the brink of annihilation . . The Mercy of the Gods is the start of something truly epic' Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga 'Like The Expanse, The Mercy of Gods balances cosmic stakes with an astonishingly powerful human drama. Pitch-perfect storytelling ' M. R. Carey, author of The Girl With All the Gifts 'A fast-paced, intelligent book. Corey is always one of the most engaging voices in the genre' A drian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time ' The Mercy of Gods radiates the dread and revelation of first contact, shaping new worlds and cultures that had me riveted' Bethany Jacobs, author of These Burning Stars 'All the things you want in an alien invasion novel: overwhelming aliens, end-of-world terror, and plucky humans who never stop fighting . . . A bang-up read. I want more ' Paolo Bacigalupi, New York Times bestselling author 'A powerful, provocative masterpiece that I will be thinking about for a very long time' Ryka Aoki, author of Light from Uncommon Stars

**THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER** 'THE START OF SOMETHING TRULY EPIC' Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga 'DAZZLING . . . THIS IS SPACE OPERA AT ITS BEST' Publishers Weekly From the New York Times bestselling author of the Expanse comes a spectacular new space opera that sees humanity fighting for its survival in a war as old as the universe itself. Invasion is only the beginning . . . The Carryx - part empire, part hive - has waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy in its conflict with an ancient and deathless enemy. When they descend on the isolated world of Anjiin, the human population is abased, slaughtered and put in chains. The best and brightest are abducted, taken to the Carryx world-palace to join prisoners from a thousand other species. Dafyd Alkhor, assistant to a prestigious scientist, is captured along with his team. Even he doesn't suspect that his peculiar insight and skills will be the key to seeing past their captors ' terrifying agenda. Swept up in a conflict beyond his control and vaster than his imagination, Dafyd is poised to become humanity's champion - and its betrayer. This is where his story begins. ' The beginning of what could be Corey's most epic - and entertaining - series yet. Simply mind-blowing' Kirkus 'No one builds a universe like James S. A. Corey. When it ends, all you'll want is . . . more' John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author 'Terrifying alien overlords and a vast intergalactic war with humankind on the brink of annihilation . . The Mercy of the Gods is the start of something truly epic' Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga 'Like The Expanse, The Mercy of Gods balances cosmic stakes with an astonishingly powerful human drama. Pitch-perfect storytelling ' M. R. Carey, author of The Girl With All the Gifts 'A fast-paced, intelligent book. Corey is always one of the most engaging voices in the genre' A drian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time ' The Mercy of Gods radiates the dread and revelation of first contact, shaping new worlds and cultures that had me riveted' Bethany Jacobs, author of These Burning Stars 'All the things you want in an alien invasion novel: overwhelming aliens, end-of-world terror, and plucky humans who never stop fighting . . . A bang-up read. I want more ' Paolo Bacigalupi, New York Times bestselling author 'A powerful, provocative masterpiece that I will be thinking about for a very long time' Ryka Aoki, author of Light from Uncommon Stars

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Expanse comes a spectacular new space opera that sees humanity fighting for its survival in a war as old as the universe itself. ★ "Masterful . . . . This is space opera at its best." - Publishers Weekly (starred review) "The start of something truly epic." ― Fonda Lee, author of Jade City How humanity came to the planet called Anjiin is lost in the fog of history, but that history is about to end. The Carryx - part empire, part hive - have waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy. Now, they are facing a great and deathless enemy. The key to their survival may rest with the humans of Anjiin. Caught up in academic intrigue and affairs of the heart, Dafyd Alkhor is pleased just to be an assistant to a brilliant scientist and his celebrated research team. Then the Carryx ships descend, decimating the human population and taking the best and brightest of Anjiin society away to serve on the Carryx homeworld, and Dafyd is swept along with them. They are dropped in the middle of a struggle they barely understand, set in a competition against the other captive species with extinction as the price of failure. Only Dafyd and a handful of his companions see past the Darwinian contest to the deeper game that they must play to survive: learning to understand - and manipulate - the Carryx themselves. With a noble but suicidal human rebellion on one hand and strange and murderous enemies on the other, the team pays a terrible price to become the trusted servants of their new rulers. Dafyd Alkhor is a simple man swept up in events that are beyond his control and more vast than his imagination. He will become the champion of humanity and its betrayer, the most hated man in history and the guardian of his people. This is where his story begins. "Corey is always one of the most engaging voices in the genre." ― Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time "A bang up read. I want more." ― Paolo Bacigalupi, author of The Water Knife "A powerful, provocative masterpiece that I will be thinking about for a very long time." ― Ryka Aoki, author of Light from Uncommon Stars

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Expanse comes a spectacular new space opera that sees humanity fighting for its survival in a war as old as the universe itself. ★ "Masterful . . . . This is space opera at its best." - Publishers Weekly (starred review) "The start of something truly epic." ― Fonda Lee, author of Jade City How humanity came to the planet called Anjiin is lost in the fog of history, but that history is about to end. The Carryx - part empire, part hive - have waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy. Now, they are facing a great and deathless enemy. The key to their survival may rest with the humans of Anjiin. Caught up in academic intrigue and affairs of the heart, Dafyd Alkhor is pleased just to be an assistant to a brilliant scientist and his celebrated research team. Then the Carryx ships descend, decimating the human population and taking the best and brightest of Anjiin society away to serve on the Carryx homeworld, and Dafyd is swept along with them. They are dropped in the middle of a struggle they barely understand, set in a competition against the other captive species with extinction as the price of failure. Only Dafyd and a handful of his companions see past the Darwinian contest to the deeper game that they must play to survive: learning to understand - and manipulate - the Carryx themselves. With a noble but suicidal human rebellion on one hand and strange and murderous enemies on the other, the team pays a terrible price to become the trusted servants of their new rulers. Dafyd Alkhor is a simple man swept up in events that are beyond his control and more vast than his imagination. He will become the champion of humanity and its betrayer, the most hated man in history and the guardian of his people. This is where his story begins. "Corey is always one of the most engaging voices in the genre." ― Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time "A bang up read. I want more." ― Paolo Bacigalupi, author of The Water Knife "A powerful, provocative masterpiece that I will be thinking about for a very long time." ― Ryka Aoki, author of Light from Uncommon Stars