Jennifer Jackson – Literary Agent

Queen Demon by Martha Wells

“Eric Mok returns to narrate this sequel to WITCH KING, bringing back all of his wonderfully varied British accents for the large cast. The narrative jumps back and forth between two timelines: In the past, immortal demon Kaiisteron and Prince-heir Bishasha advance against the powerful, subjugating Heirarchs; years later in the present day, long after the war is over, Kai and his found family investigate whether any Heirarchs might still survive. While some close listening is required to keep the two timelines straight, Mok ensures that each character, past and present, is instantly recognizable. Listeners are rewarded with a sweeping, immersive story full of fascinating details and studded with small, intimate, moving moments between characters we come to care deeply about.” — Audiofile Magazine (on audio edition)

Queen Demon by Martha Wells

“Witch King (2023) introduced readers to Kai and his crew of disgruntled witches and other assorted enemies of the former Hierarchs. Wells continues their story here, recounting how scholar Dahin has a theory that means they need to go to the archaeological site of the Hierarchs’ origin, and quickly. Meanwhile, an accompanying time line from the past tells a story of Bashara and Kai and their journeys together in the older war, before the events of the first novel. New threats rise up to bring the old world’s violence and pain coming back to the fore as Wells sets up for a series climax. Readers will benefit from having learned the breadth of world and character details in the first volume and, without the need to study here, will blaze more easily through the action and politics….Fans of character-rooted high fantasy will enjoy this series led by a demon with a surprisingly soft heart.” — Booklist

Queen Demon by Martha Wells is one of Amazon’s Editors’ Picks: Best Science Fiction & Fantasy books of October!

Queen Demon by Martha Wells

“The second book in The Rising World series (a sequel to Witch King) continues to recount the trials and tribulations of Witch King Kai in dual timelines. In the past timeline, Kai’s breaking of the death-magic-corrupted Hierarchs brings forth a world-spanning rebellion that is hurtling toward a precipice of disaster, while in the present timeline, Kai and his found family travel to the ends of their world to prevent a second rise of tyranny. The past timeline shows heartbreak and triumph going hand in hand, while in the present, catastrophe and despair run headlong toward a likely shattered future—no matter who wins or what is lost. Witch King Kai and his heart-sister Queen Demon Ziede try to outrace potential disaster twice over. In the past, they saved the world; in the present, they do their best to keep their old enemies from rising again to tear their work apart.

VERDICT This epic fantasy adventure of found family, lost love, and promises kept, even after death, is a quest for long-buried truths that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish with its high-stakes adventures.” — Library Journal

The Japanese edition of System Collapse by Martha Wells (translated by Naoya Nakahara) has won a Seiun Award in the Best Translated Long Story category!