Crystal Cities

Crystal Lattice (#1)

“Magic. The politics of war. A small band of Heroes. This year's best Epic Fantasy. A magic school, a magic war, and betrayal. This book is a nail-biting page turner! A splendid book you simply MUST read.”

Faith Hunter, New York Times bestselling author of the Jane Yellowrock series

“Crystal Lattice is the electrifying opening to a new epic fantasy series set in a world of forgotten science, dying light, and the math-based magic that could save them all.”

Jean Marie Ward, author of the Sorcerer vs. Sorcerer series

I’m a sucker for a smart, cynical, goodhearted underdog. Throw in a fascinating magical world and six layers of conspiracies, uprisings, and good old fashioned mage battles, and I was hooked. When does book two come out?”

Jim C. Hines, Hugo Award-winning author

“In a world that's an inventive blend of SF and fantasy, characters we will readily relate to face intriguing, potentially deadly challenges. Fast-paced, fluent and fascinating.”

Juliet E. McKenna, BSFA Award-winning author

ZNB Presents

Standalone

Anthologies

Temporally Out of Order

“This is a themed short story collection about Time travel, but it’s all inadvertent time travel. That makes this collection unique […] A thoroughly enjoyable anthology.”

Abyss & Apex

“It’s a wonderful idea that has spawned quite a few excellent stories.”

Hisham El-far’s Bloggy Thing

“Fans of time travel and those interested in well-written gimmick stories will love this anthology.”

SFRevu

“I just couldn’t put this one down. One of the best anthologies I have read.”

Erin Penn’s Second Base

Throne of Amenkor Trilogy

The Skewed Throne (#1)

“Power without control breeds a madness just as deadly as an empty stomach. That’s the key message in Palmatier’s intense fantasy debut […] Palmatier succeeds admirably in passionate, if simplistic, prose to sketch a heartfelt portrait […] This solid, earnest effort will especially appeal to young adults.”

Publishers Weekly

“Palmatier keeps the reader guessing by switching up the flow events in the novel […] that is what makes the novel so compelling, even having a pretty good idea of where Varis’s story would conclude at the end of THE SKEWED THRONE didn’t deter the narrative pull and overall engaging quality of Palmatier’s storytelling […] With THE SKEWED THRONE, Palmatier has set up a very promising trilogy.”

SF Signal

“I give THE SKEWED THRONE four and a half out of five really creepy-ass iconic chairs, and a strong suggestion that it not walk down any dark alleys alone. I highly recommend it.”

Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of the Toby Daye series

“A gritty, edgy, unsettling book. This tough young woman makes her choices in a world where good and evil often look like twins. I was riveted by her story!”

Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author of the Song of the Lioness series

“Joshua Palmatier has written a vivid, passionate story about a tough-minded heroine fighting for survival. What makes her especially compelling is her own struggle to understand right and wrong, and to confront what necessity can force you to do. This promising first novel should lead to equally confident sequels.”

Kate Elliott, New York Times bestselling author of Spiritwalker series

“The strength of Palmatier's book lies in Varis. Varis is a bitter girl, hardened by years of living in the Dredge, but she retains a core of humanity. Her ability to slip into what she calls the river, where threats stand out as splashes of red in the currents of the world around her, makes her an intriguing point of view character…if you enjoy grittier fantasy, I would recommend picking up THE SKEWED THRONE.”

Jim C. Hines, author of the Magic ex Libris series

"If you are familiar with Arya Stark in George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series, you'll love Varis, who has similar tenacity and toughness. I highly recommend THE SKEWED THRONE and fans of gritty fantasy will love this book.”

Paul Genesse, author of the Iron Dragon series

"For those who like their fantasy gritty and real, without sugarcoating, Joshua Palmatier's THE SKEWED THRONE is a gift. With not a dragon or an unicorn in sight, it's the people and the places where they live that matter in here - Varis is a strong and sympathetic heroine, even the walk-on parts have their own story, and the city of Amenkor has earned a place of its own in the atlas of fantasy lands."

Alma Alexander, author of Worldweavers: Gift of the Unmage

The Cracked Throne (#2)

“[An] exciting sequel […] This novel grips the reader with a swift-moving tale of political intrigue and economic survival in a world where the most dangerous secrets are never forgotten.”

Publishers Weekly

“THE CRACKED THRONE kicks into higher narrative gear and becomes a very difficult book to put down. This more than balances any drawn out elements of the merchant/restocking portion of the novel. What made the second installment of the trilogy work well for me is very much what made its predecessor work – Varis’s engaging narrative voice.”

SF Signal

The Vacant Throne (#3)

“The solid third Throne of Amenkor novel delivers plenty of action and intrigue.”

Publishers Weekly

“I’m pleased to say he finished quite strongly with THE VACANT THRONE […] [it] offers a glimpse of the world at large. It is a solid progression of storytelling and is very effective at both revealing the full picture of Palmatier’s world and his evolution as a writer. Although Palmatier brings closure in the final volume of the trilogy, I think THE VACANT THRONE hints at a world rife for more stories.”

SF Signal

The Throne of Amenkor

“Joshua’s books are fun, engaging, and where they have an edge over Lynch and Rothfuss’s series is the fact that the series is complete […] Palmatier has created a powerful and engaging female protagonist in THE THRONE OF AMENKOR. With the three volumes now complete, I recommend all of them.”

SF Signal

The Well Series

Well of Sorrows (#1)

“One of my top ten fantasy reads of the year.”

Fantasy Literature

“WELL OF SORROWS kept me spellbound for the entire length of the thick paperback. It’s well worth your time to delve into this heart-wrenching story!”

Errant Dreams

“A very good novel full of engaging writing; characters about whom Tate made me feel a great deal; and set in a fully realized secondary world that is a character in its own rights. Recommended.”

SFFWorld

“Fantasy readers will be drawn in and likely make quick work of this debut work.”

VOYA

“Brilliantly detailed worldbuilding and complicated characters makes this an engrossing read.”

Laura Anne Gilman

Leaves of Flame (#2)

“Fans who reach the cliffhanger ending will be eager for book three.”

Library Journal

“A wonderfully complex, vivid and imaginative world.”

Portland Book Review

The Ley Series

Shattering the Ley (#1)

“Palmatier exploits an active imagination to good effect, with characters who develop along with the story […] plenty of tension and excitement. Fantasy regulars looking for a fresh series with real bite should find it worth a try.”

Kirkus

“Palmatier lets the story build slowly, introducing a sprawling cast and fascinating setting, before explosively upsetting the status quo. This initial installment feels like build up for the rest of the story, but still delivers a compelling adventure.”

Publishers Weekly

“Palmatier takes familiar ideas of ley lines and magic wielders but gives them fresh life in this rich fantasy world.”

Library Journal

“There is some really good writing here with a wonderfully unique premise.”

I Smell Sheep

“SHATTERING THE LEY is the first book in a promising new series by Joshua Palmatier. While the cover of this hardcover edition tells us immediately that this is A Fantasy Novel, the setting blends magic and technology in a unique creation.”

Book Spot Central

“This is an entertaining work of second-world fantasy in a creative and detailed setting with well-written action scenes.”

Triple Cities Carousel

“This is a great opening act as Joshua Palmatier creates an intriguing world that deploys magic as the key source of energy. Using the ideological global warming debate (to include ambitious political deniers and militant willing to die environmentalists) as the starting premise, SHATTERING THE LEY is a strong cautionary fantasy.”

Harriet Klausner

Threading the Needle (#2)

“Palmatier juggles the ongoing plot lines adeptly. As he explores the relationships among ley, environment, and society, he delivers a fast-paced, often brutal tale.”

Publishers Weekly

"THREADING THE NEEDLE is an exciting adventure story with lots of action.”

SFRevu

Reaping the Aurora (#3)

“Palmatier juggles a large cast and myriad plot threads as he brings this postapocalyptic fantasy saga to a close; naturally, the stakes are immense, the body count considerable, and the action intense.”

Publishers Weekly

“Fans of political intrigue will find a lot to enjoy here.”

SFRevu