War Master's Gate

Shadows of the Apt, Book 9

By: Adrian Tchaikovsky

Narrated by: Ben Allen

A city makes its last stand . . .

War Master’s Gate is the ninth book in the critically acclaimed epic fantasy series Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky.

The Empire’s mighty imperial armies are marching on Collegium once more. They’ve learnt from past failures and this time their Empress will brook no weakness. Stenwold Maker’s aviators still dominate the skies, but their rule will soon be over. For the Empire has developed a terrifying aerial weapon to level the battlefield.

Yet victory may be decided elsewhere. In an ancient forest, where Mantis clans pursue their own civil war, Empress Seda is seeking a lost power from the old world. Cheerwell Maker knows she must stop her rival at any cost, but their conflict could awaken something far deadlier. Something that would make even their clash of nations pale into insignificance.

War Master’s Gate is followed by the tenth and final book in the Shadows of the Apt series, Seal of the Worm.

The entire series is narrated by Ben Allen (Alien Clay). Listeners love the series in audio:

‘Fantastic narration that really got you to imagine this amazing world’

‘You get consumed into the world and its characters’

‘The characters are distinct with masterful accents’

‘The narration and sound design is jaw-dropping’

‘Ben Allen's narration was frankly phenomenal all the way through’

Critic reviews

Brimming with imagination

The Shadows of the Apt series is simply one of the best epic fantasy series out there

Super world-building, great characters and extreme inventiveness

Epic fantasy at its best. Gripping, original and multi-layered storytelling from a writer bursting with lots of fascinating ideas

Full of sparking, speculative innovation (Stephen Baxter, author of the Xeelee Sequence, on The Doors of Eden)

Breathtaking scope and vision. Adrian Tchaikovsky is one of our finest writers (Gareth L. Powell, author of Embers of War, on Children of Ruin)

A joy from start to finish. Entertaining, smart, surprising and unexpectedly human (Patrick Ness, author of The Knife of Never Letting Go, on Children of Time)

Still awesome

great book, great telling. Author always changes everything up to keep it fresh. I want a TV show out of this story.

My one complaint involves spoilers, so stop reading here if you don't wanna get spoiled.

Why did you have to do my boy Amnon dirty like that! he was one of my fav characters and he did not get a very satisfying end. 😔 😪 😕 😢 🤧 😒.

Like the rest of them fantastic

This is the ninth book of the series and you would think with so many books. There’d be at least one flop, one so-so book but no, they’ve all been fantastic. Even the short story that followed, it is not to be missed

Steiner sing series of books

The caliber of storytelling for the series of books is exceptional as is the way that the author gets into the minds of the characters. In addition the narration is also exceptional. This is a rare combination of fantastic storyline marvelous words sculpting and thoughtfulness on the part of the author and brilliant narration. I shake their head in astonishment at the end of every one of these books. This is an author absolutely worth following and the narrator absolutely worth listening to. It is without qualm that I have purchased each of the books in the series and applaud the author and the narrator At the end of each one. Marvelous work.

Great worldbuilding

Adrian Tchaikovsky is an expert in worldbuilding! This is a great addition to the series.

Intricate and bold

A powerful character study of leaders and followers, of the struggles of the citizenry caught up in a conflict. With echoes of Chechnya, Poland, London, and Atlanta. The callousness of war is juxtaposed artfully with the lives of those immersed. Details of the nature of war are not overlooked, b the political ramifications of empire and conquest brought seamlessly, without heavy exposition. Ben Allen's superb narration and accents give richness to this story.