WINNER of the Ditmar Awards for Best Novel and Best New Talent, the Norma K Hemming Award, and the Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel! Poison. Treachery. Ancient spirits. Sieges. The Poison Wars begin now, with City of Lies , a fabulous epic fantasy debut by Sam Hawke I was seven years old the first time my uncle poisoned me... Outwardly, Jovan is the lifelong friend of the Chancellor’s charming, irresponsible Heir. Quiet. Forgettable. In secret, he's a master of poisons and chemicals, trained to protect the Chancellor’s family from treachery. When the Chancellor succumbs to an unknown poison and an army lays siege to the city, Jovan and his sister Kalina must protect the Heir and save their city-state. But treachery lurks in every corner, and the ancient spirits of the land are rising...and angry. "A tale of poisoners, deceit and treachery that will surely keep readers entranced. I don’t read many stories as twisty and unpredictable, especially in the latter chapters, as this one, and I loved what Sam Hawke did."―Terry Brooks "If the first line doesn’t make you buy this book, you should turn in your fantasy-lover’s badge. City of Lies got me through sitting seven hours in an airport, and proves that a tale about the one who risks his life to thwart assassins can be as compelling as any assassin’s tale."―Robin Hobb "Sibling protagonists anchor this twisty story of old grievances coming to a boil. Hawke writes with nuance about the loves, loyalties, ambitions, and resentments that bind her characters together and threaten to tear them apart."―Kate Elliott "Absolutely loved this; the world building is brilliant, the mystery and crime elements merge seamlessly into a fantastical world of poisoners, warrior-guilds and ancient magic. But the heart of the story is the central characters, they’re written with such depth, flawed, human and likeable. City of Lies is a wonderful read and one that I'd highly recommend to all lovers of fantasy."―John Gwynne "An enormously enjoyable read, one of the best new fantasies I’ve seen in a long time."―Adrian Tchaikovsky “A compelling fantasy whodunit―imagine Agatha Christie channelled through Robin Hobb―and a page-turning coming-of-age tale.”― The Guardian "A well-crafted debut with believable political intrigues, solid worldbuilding, and original characters."― Kirkus "This epic fantasy debut weaves political, class, and belief systems into a deftly drawn world."― School Library Journal "Colorful and exciting."― Publishers Weekly Sam Hawke considered several careers (including zookeeper) before choosing law, getting a black belt in jujitsu and starting writing. She lives with her husband and children in Australia. City of Lies was her first novel. City of Lies By Sam Hawke Tom Doherty Associates Copyright © 2018 Sam Hawke All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-7653-9689-1 Contents Title Page, Copyright Notice, Dedication, Acknowledgments, Laceleaf, 1. Jovan, Zarnika, 2. Kalina, Maidenbane, 3. Jovan, Bluehood, 4. Kalina, Hazelnode, 5. Jovan, Clouddust, 6. Kalina, Lendulos, 7. Jovan, Bitterseed, 8. Kalina, Praconis/slumberweed, 9. Jovan, Rabutin, 10. Kalina, Art's plainsrose, 11. Jovan, Esto's revenge, 12. Kalina, Manita fungus, 13. Jovan, Eel brain, 14. Kalina, Feverhead, 15. Jovan, Stingbark, 16. Kalina, Lockwort, 17. Jovan, Salgar (red death), 18. Kalina, Okubane, 19. Jovan, Bloodroot, 20. Kalina, Geraslin ink, 21. Jovan, Atrapis, 22. Kalina, Dumbcane, 23. Jovan, Moonblossom, 24. Kalina, Poison rookgrass, 25. Jovan, Darpar, 26. Kalina, False goaberry, 27. Jovan, Petra venom, 28. Kalina, Graybore, 29. Jovan, Blisterbush, 30. Kalina, Beetle-eye, 31. Jovan, Scatterburr, 32. Jovan, Traitor's curse, 33. Jovan, Epilogue: Jovan, About the Author, Copyright, CHAPTER 1 Jovan I was seven years old the first time my uncle poisoned me. He served me the toxin in his signature cheese stew. It gave me waves of stomach cramps and hallucinations of every horror my young mind could conjure, but left no lasting damage. I learned that day to trust nothing on my plate or in my cup, not even something prepared by my beloved uncle Etan, my Tashi, the most honored and trusted person in my world. Especially not him. By ten, I could identify the ingredients in most dishes set before me, from the spicy baked fish served year-round in Sjona's farms and estates, to the flat black bread cooked in clay ovens in every kitchen in the city, to the delicate cheese-and-honey pastries favored in the highest circles of society. I could detect any of the eleven greater poisons hidden in those dishes. Most by taste, some by smell, and one by its unique mouthfeel. I could also, should the need arise, use them myself. Before his own Tashi died and my uncle Etan inherited his seat on the Council, he had trained as a cook — something of an oddity among the six Credol Families, but not un