From the author of the connected Cosmere universe of the comes this standalone novel which reveals the origin of characters who later play roles in the number 1 New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive series. A gripping tale of two princesses, two gods, and incredible magic, this powerful story is a Cosmere gem.

THE INTERNATIONAL PHENOMENON BEHIND THE COSMERE

A STANDALONE COSMERE ADVENTURE WITH MAGIC AS YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN IT

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A story of two sisters, who happen to be princesses.
A story about two gods, one a God King and one lesser.
A story about an immortal trying to undo the mistakes he made hundreds of years ago.
This is WARBREAKER.

In the world of Warbreaker, each person is born endowed with the power of one Breath - which can be sold and collected by others, then used to Awaken objects and even corpses to do their bidding. A few individuals who die in glory return as gods, with the power of thousands of Breath, but no memory of their mortal lives - and are enthroned in the Court of Gods in Hallandren's capital.

To Vivenna and Siri, princesses of Idris, the abuse of Breath and the claim of the Returned to be gods are repugnant blasphemy. But with one princess wed to the God King of their nation's enemies in a bid for peace, the other finds she must rely on Breath -using mercenaries to try to rescue her sister from her monstrous husband.

Lightsong the Bold, a lesser god who doubts his own religion, starts investigating mysterious murders in the Court of Gods and uncovers haunting clues to his own forgotten past. He is one of four gods who controls the army of Awakened Lifeless soldiers, and one faction is inciting an invasion of Idris despite the marriage treaty. Vasher - wielder of the sapient sword Nightblood - works behind the scenes against the declaration of war, but Lightsong's visions of bloodshed prophesy its inevitability. Can the new queen, unaware of her sister's imminent rescue attempt, persuade Lightsong and also somehow get through to the aloof God King - who she has been forbidden to speak to or even look in the eyes - before her homeland is destroyed?

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SANDERSON THE EPIC FANTASY TITAN:

'An exceptional tale of magic, mystery and the politics of divinity'
MICHAEL MOORCOCK

'A powerful stand-alone tale of unpredictable loyalties, dark intrigue and dangerous magic'
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

'Sanderson is astonishingly wise'
ORSON SCOTT CARD

'Epic in every sense'
GUARDIAN