The Unspoken Name
A. K. Larkwood's The Unspoken Name is a stunning debut fantasy about an orc priestess turned wizard's assassin.
What if you knew how and when you will die?
Csorwe does ― she will climb the mountain, enter the Shrine of the Unspoken, and gain the most honored title: sacrifice.
But on the day of her foretold death, a powerful mage offers her a new fate. Leave with him, and live. Turn away from her destiny and her god to become a thief, a spy, an assassin ― the wizard's loyal sword. Topple an empire, and help him reclaim his seat of power.
But Csorwe will soon learn ― gods remember, and if you live long enough, all debts come due.
“In the vein of Le Guin's magnificent Tombs of Atuan ― if Arha the Eaten One got to grow up to be a swordswoman mercenary in thrall to her dubious wizard mentor. I love this book so much." ― Arkady Martine, author of A Memory Called Empire
“Hooked me in from the first page and never let go. Fabulous, in every meaning of the word." ― Jenn Lyons, author of Ruin of Kings
A. K. Larkwood
A. K. Larkwood studied English at St John’s College, Cambridge. She has worked in higher education & media relations, and is now studying law. She lives in Oxford, England, with her wife and a cat. The Unspoken Name (Tor 2020) is her debut novel.
The Serpent Gates
The Serpent Gates consists of two books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.