Once Called Magic

Magic built the Mulai Empire. Now the code is failing.

For centuries, oca has powered everything from street lamps to weapons of war. Magic engineered in lines of code. Stored in blackiron cartridges. Controlled by an Empire whose supremacy depends upon it continuing to work.

And as the old order begins to fracture, two ageing soldiers find themselves fighting very different wars.

One-eyed veteran Ember Cobb is hollowed out by grief and hunting the man who murdered his wife. His search leads him to a mercenary expedition working in secret to find an ancient, city-killing weapon that could shatter the Empire's military dominance.

Hundreds of miles away, Caster-Colonel Lokke de Calvas faces a different battlefield, where knowing which fork to use can matter as much as knowing where to stick a blade.

In the Imperial capital's soaring spires, where altitude is social status, the Empire's Watcher has been murdered. Now Lokke, a decorated war hero with no patience for politics, has just seven days to win the election for his replacement before a ruthless rival seizes power.

As Ember searches for the power to break an Empire, Lokke fights to stop it tearing itself apart. But the buried secrets of the Kajjon threaten them both.

Once Called Magic is a nobledark military science-fantasy perfect for fans of Robert Jackson Bennett's industrial intrigue, Brian McClellan's tactical command, and the hierarchical worldbuilding of James Islington.

Expect:

• Battle-worn veterans, not chosen ones
• Hard, programmed magic
• Grunts-eye military action and squad camaraderie
• High-society intrigue where etiquette becomes a weapon
• Tactical combat with real consequences
• Ancient weapons and dangerous ruins
• Multi-POV, deliberate escalation

What readers are saying:

'Green's characterisations are wonderful; carefully and steadily defined, rather than dumping all the attributes at once'

'Fantastic book with a really deep, engaging story'

'A fantasy more based in science than magic, gives it a great edge. Can't wait to read the next one'

'Awesome, exciting, superb writing! I liked this book so much that I couldn't put it down!'

'Interesting characters and storyline. Already hoping there's more than one trilogy in this world'