{"title":"Steven Brust","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteven Brust\u003c\/strong\u003e crafts imaginative tales that blend fantasy and science fiction, drawing readers into richly built worlds filled with intrigue and vivid characters. His stories often weave complex plots with a touch of dark humour, inviting exploration of power, identity, and morality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the dreamlike landscapes of \u003cem\u003eThe Baron of Magister Valley\u003c\/em\u003e to the inventive cosmologies in \u003cem\u003eTo Reign in Hell\u003c\/em\u003e and the immersive narratives of \u003cem\u003eTsalmoth\u003c\/em\u003e, Brust’s work appeals to those who appreciate thoughtful and original speculative fiction.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-baron-of-magister-valley-by-steven-brust-9781250311498","title":"The Baron of Magister Valley","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReader, you will undoubtedly have had the misfortune of consuming the rotten fruit of fallacies that we—Paarfi of Roundwood (esteemed historian of House of Hawk and exquisite artisan of truths)—\"borrow\" our factual recount of Dragaeran history from some obscure fellow who goes by the name Al Dumas or some silly nomenclature of that nature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe salacious claims that \u003cem\u003eThe Baron of Magister Valley\u003c\/em\u003e bears any resemblance to a certain nearly fictional narrative about an infamous count are unfounded (we do not dabble in tall tales. The occasional moderately stretched? Yes. But never tall).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOur tale is that of a nobleman who is betrayed by those he trusted and subsequently imprisoned. After centuries of confinement, he contrives to escape and prepares to avenge himself against his betrayers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA mirror image of \u003cem\u003eThe Count of Monte Cristo\u003c\/em\u003e, vitriolic naysayers still grouse? Well, that is nearly and utterly false.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Macmillan Publishers New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48244513210604,"sku":"9781250311498","price":44.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781250311498-the-baron-of-magister-valley-1.jpg?v=1787998279"},{"product_id":"to-reign-in-hell-by-steven-brust-9781250343642","title":"To Reign in Hell","description":"The time is the Beginning. The place is Heaven. The story is the Revolt of the Angels-a war of magic, corruption and intrigue that could destroy the universe.\n\nTor Essentials presents new editions of science fiction and fantasy titles of proven merit and lasting value, each volume introduced by an appropriate literary figure.\n\nOriginally published in 1984, Steven Brust's To Reign in Hell is a retelling of Satan's revolt against Heaven with much more sympathy for Lucifer and his allies. \n\nHeaven is threatened by the reemergence of a cataclysmic event, a wave of energy that can destroy life and result in the loss of many angels. In preparation for this Fourth Wave, the angel Yaweh consults the angel Satan. A plan to build Earth, a new and larger Heaven that would be equipped to withstand the disaster, is constructed. Satan questions the plan because doing so will sacrifice the lives of other angels, much like the Fourth Wave itself threatens to do. Charged with convincing their fellow angels to lay down their lives, Satan has reservations about their right to ask for such a sacrifice.  This doubt, and the questioning of ethics, opens the door for a devious figure to manipulate Satan, developing a heavenly war.\n\nThis re-examination of Paradise Lost that calls morality and villainy into question through the lens of epic fantasy is a prescient early classic with an enduring legacy and a formative text of the genre.\n\nWith an introduction by the late, great Roger Zelazny, author of Lord of Light and Nine Princes in Amber.","brand":"Macmillan Publishers New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48244792557804,"sku":"9781250343642","price":37.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781250343642-to-reign-in-hell-1.jpg?v=1788014484"},{"product_id":"tsalmoth-by-steven-brust-9780765382849","title":"Tsalmoth","description":"First comes love. Then comes marriage. \n \nVlad Taltos is in love. With a former assassin who may just be better than he is at the Game. Women like this don't come along every day and no way is he passing up a sure bet.\n \nSo a wedding is being planned. Along with a shady deal gone wrong and a dead man who owes Vlad money. Setting up the first and trying to deal with the second is bad enough. And then bigger powers decide that Vlad is the perfect patsy to shake the power structure of the kingdom.\n \nMore's the pity that his soul is sent walkabout to do it.\n \nHow might Vlad get his soul back and have any shot at a happy ending? Well, there's the tale.","brand":"Macmillan Publishers New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48244796227820,"sku":"9780765382849","price":57.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780765382849-tsalmoth-1.jpg?v=1788014980"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/steven-brust.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}