The Providence of Fire – UK Cover Revealed

Tor UK have released the cover for Brian Staveley’s upcoming The Providence of Fire. Before we show it you, though, here’s the blurb accompanied by the US cover (for comparison in just a moment).

Brian Staveley’s Providence of Fire, the second novel in the Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, a gripping new epic fantasy series in the tradition of Brandon Sanderson and George R. R. Martin.
The conspiracy to destroy the ruling family of the Annurian Empire is far from over.

Having learned the identity of her father’s assassin, Adare flees the Dawn Palace is search of allies to challenge the coup against her family. Few trust her, but when she is believed to be touched by Intarra, patron goddess of the empire, the people rally to help her retake the capital city. As armies prepare to clash, the threat of invasion from barbarian hordes compels the rival forces to unite against their common enemy.

Unknown to Adare, her brother Valyn, renegade member of the empire’s most elite fighting force, has allied with the invading nomads. The terrible choices each of them has made may make war between them inevitable.

Between Valyn and Adare is their brother Kaden, rightful heir to the Unhewn Throne, who has infiltrated the Annurian capital with the help of two strange companions. The knowledge they possess of the secret history that shapes these events could save Annur or destroy it.

So yes, UK cover. Check it out before I talk a little bit about it:

What I like about both these covers – the US one and the UK one – is that they present the reader with a lot of questions. Who is this woman? What are those magical symbols / magics she is using? What do the flames represent? Why is she holding a sword/dagger – is she ready for battle or a quiet assassination? It’s intriguing and you can see why Tor UK went for it – they openly admit that with Brian’s series they’re reaching out to Game of Thrones fans with this one. Bella Pagan explaining: “Game of Thrones comparisons are used a lot these days to tempt readers in. But it totally works here, it really does! if you want a tale dripping with empire building, betrayals and intrigue, told from the points of views of a number of utterly magnetic, flawed characters, you’ve found your next read.”

The vast majority of fans gave the first book in the series, The Emperor’s Blades, a fairly warm reception with many marking the next book as one they’ll be looking out for. If there was one criticism though it was that the main female character, Adare, didnt get enough pages. However, Brian quickly stated in response that Adare would have a much larger role in subsequent books and this cover choice seems a good way of convincing fans that Brian is true to his word.

Fantasy-Faction was lucky enough to get our hands on an ARC of The Providence of Fire. Head here to see what Charlie thought of book 2.

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