Publishers Weekly
03/23/2020
The road to the Nine Hells is paved not with good intentions but with political and personal ambition in this no-holds-barred epic fantasy, the first in Caruso’s Rooks and Ruins trilogy set in the same universe as her Swords and Fire series. Ryxander was appointed Warden of Gloamingard Castle by her grandmother, the Lady of Owls, and tasked with keeping its menacing Black Tower sealed. While mediating a conflict between the Serene Empire of Raverra and the neighboring Alevar, Ryx is tricked into using her life-draining magic to open the Black Tower’s gate, in the process accidentally killing a meddling Alevar representative and unleashing a demon from the Nine Hells. Surrounded by angry diplomats, inquisitive mages, and a vengeful Shrike Lord, Ryx desperately works to control the Black Tower’s magic before the nations of Vaskandar and the Serene Empire go to war to claim its power. The intricate, colorful world is vividly described (“Gloamingard was really several castles caught in the act of devouring each other”) and anchored by the raw emotions of the diverse cast. Caruso’s new series is off to a promising start. Agent: Naomi Davis, BookEnds Literary. (June)
From the Publisher
"Populated by a vibrant cast of characters and an intricate setting that's practically a character itself, The Obsidian Tower deftly balances two of my favorite things: razor sharp politics and characters investigating weird, dark magic. A must read for all fantasy fans."—Emily A. Duncan, author of New York Times bestseller Wicked Saints
"Block out time to binge this can't-stop story filled with danger and unexpected disaster. From the fresh take on time-honored tropes to a crunchy, intrigue filled story, The Obsidian Tower is a must-read for lovers of high fantasy."—C. L. Polk, World Fantasy award-winning author of Witchmark
"With The Obsidian Tower [Melissa Caruso] hits another level in terms of prose and tension. This is a truly excellent fantasy, and an epic beginning for a new trilogy."—Locus
"The Obsidian Tower caught me on page one-a gritty heroine hemmed in by sticky politics and her own disastrous magic, a mystery of ancient lore and current rumor, and the most fascinating palace I've encountered in decades."—Carol Berg, author of Dust and Light
"[F]ull of tension and immediately engaging. Even as the central goal of not opening the door plays out, Caruso builds a vivid universe...filling the pages with personality and depth."—BookPage (starred review)
"A classic, breathtaking adventure brimful of dangerous magic and clever politics. This is a book that will thrill and delight any fantasy fan."—Tasha Suri, author of Empire of Sand
"Full of magical and political intrigue, Caruso's latest novel will surprise and delight fans and new readers alike. With rich worldbuilding, nuanced characters, and ratcheting tension... A fulfilling read from start to finish."—Tara Sim, author of Scavenge the Stars
"Brimming with delights: gripping suspense, bombastic magic, political scheming, fascinating creatures, and ill-advised romance. Yet what I love most is that at its heart, it is simply the story of a young woman opening herself up to the world and embracing her own potential."—Jon Skovron, author of The Ranger of Marzanna
"Melissa Caruso's sparkling Obsidian Tower combines a fresh fantasy world with resonant characters and sweeps them into a plot full of political intrigue and magical chaos."—Rowenna Miller, author of Torn
