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Book of the Ancestor book cover 1
Book of the Ancestor book cover 2
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Book of the Ancestor
Series · 7 books · 2017-2021

Books in series

Red Sister book cover
#1

Red Sister

2017

The international bestselling author of the Broken Empire and the Red Queen's War trilogies begins a stunning epic fantasy series about a secretive order of holy warriors... At the Convent of Sweet Mercy, young girls are raised to be killers. In some few children the old bloods show, gifting rare talents that can be honed to deadly or mystic effect. But even the mistresses of sword and shadow don't truly understand what they have purchased when Nona Grey is brought to their halls. A bloodstained child of nine falsely accused of murder, guilty of worse, Nona is stolen from the shadow of the noose. It takes ten years to educate a Red Sister in the ways of blade and fist, but under Abbess Glass' care there is much more to learn than the arts of death. Among her class Nona finds a new family—and new enemies. Despite the security and isolation of the convent, Nona's secret and violent past finds her out, drawing with it the tangled politics of a crumbling empire. Her arrival sparks old feuds to life, igniting vicious struggles within the church and even drawing the eye of the emperor himself. Beneath a dying sun, Nona Grey must master her inner demons, then loose them on those who stand in her way.
The Devil You Know book cover
#1.5

The Devil You Know

2021

A short story that serves more as an immediate continuation of Red Sister, picking up events from the end of book 1 and introducing a character who we meet in Grey Sister.
The Devil You Know / The Hero of Aral Pass / A Thousand Years book cover
#1.5

The Devil You Know / The Hero of Aral Pass / A Thousand Years

2021

This collection contains three unconnected short stories. The Devil You Know - 10,341 words - a Nona story that sits between Red Sister and Grey Sister - an extension of Red Sister. The Hero of Aral Pass - 4,493 words - a Jalan story that sits after The Red Queen's War trilogy. A Thousand Years - 9,321 words - a Snorri story that occurs before The Red Queen's War trilogy.
Grey Sister book cover
#2

Grey Sister

2018

Second novel in the brilliant series from the bestselling author of Prince of Thorns. In Mystic Class Nona Grey begins to learn the secrets of the universe. But so often even the deepest truths just make our choices harder. Before she leaves the Convent of Sweet Mercy Nona must choose her path and take the red of a Martial Sister, the grey of a Sister of Discretion, the blue of a Mystic Sister or the simple black of a Bride of the Ancestor and a life of prayer and service. All that stands between her and these choices are the pride of a thwarted assassin, the ambition of a would-be empress wielding the Inquisition like a blade, and the vengeance of the empire’s richest lord. As the world narrows around her, and her enemies attack her through the system she has sworn to, Nona must find her own path despite the competing pull of friendship, revenge, ambition, and loyalty. And in all this only one thing is certain. There will be blood.
Bound book cover
#2.5

Bound

2018

This is a 16,000 word short story, primarily featuring Nona, Ara, Kettle, Regol. It should be read between Grey Sister and Holy Sister. Again, I stress SHORT STORY.
Holy Sister book cover
#3

Holy Sister

2019

Nona Grey's story reaches its conclusion in the third instalment of Book of the Ancestor. They came against her as a child. Now they face the woman. The ice is advancing, the Corridor narrowing, and the empire is under siege from the Scithrowl in the east and the Durns in the west. Everywhere, the emperor's armies are in retreat. Nona faces the final challenges that must be overcome if she is to become a full sister in the order of her choice. But it seems unlikely that Nona and her friends will have time to earn a nun's habit before war is on their doorstep. Even a warrior like Nona cannot hope to turn the tide of war. The shiphearts offer strength that she might use to protect those she loves, but it's a power that corrupts. A final battle is coming in which she will be torn between friends, unable to save them all. A battle in which her own demons will try to unmake her. A battle in which hearts will be broken, lovers lost, thrones burned.
Red Sister / Grey Sister / Holy Sister book cover
#1-3

Red Sister / Grey Sister / Holy Sister

2020

Please Note That The Following Individual Books As Per Original ISBN and Cover Image In this Listing shall be Dispatched Collectively: Mark Lawrence Book of the Ancestor Series 3 Books Collection Set: Red Sister: At the Convent of Sweet Mercy young girls are raised to be killers. In a few the old bloods show, gifting talents rarely seen since the tribes beached their ships on Abeth. Sweet Mercy hones its novices’ skills to deadly effect: it takes ten years to educate a Red Sister in the ways of blade and fist.But even the mistresses of sword and shadow don’t truly understand what they have purchased when Nona Grey is brought to their halls as a bloodstained child of eight, falsely accused of murder: guilty of worse. Grey Sister: In Mystic Class Nona Grey begins to learn the secrets of the universe. But so often, knowing the truth just makes our choices harder. Before she leaves the Convent of Sweet Mercy, Nona must choose her path and take the red of a Martial Sister, the grey of a Sister of Discretion, the blue of a Mystic Sister or the simple black of a Bride of the Ancestor, entailing a life of prayer and service. Holy Sister \[Hardcover\]: The ice is advancing, the Corridor narrowing, and the empire is under siege from the Scithrowl in the east and the Durns in the west. Everywhere, the emperor’s armies are in retreat.Nona faces the final challenges that must be overcome if she is to become a full sister in the order of her choice. But it seems unlikely that Nona and her friends will have time to earn a nun’s habit before war is on their doorstep.

Author

Mark Lawrence
Mark Lawrence
Author · 46 books

My books vary a LOT - so here's a handy guide. [My new book The Book That Wouldn't Burn is out now!] Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/marklawrencea... Blog here: http://mark—-lawrence.blogspot.co.uk/ I'm on Youtube now! *excitement!* https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIrB... Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/MarkLawrence... Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mark\_\_\_lawr... Threads https://www.threads.net/@mark\_\_\_lawrence Three-emails-a-year newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/cimnK1 #Prizes #FreeContent I'm even on Tumblr! https://www.tumblr.com/blog/marklawre... Pintrest! https://uk.pinterest.com/princeofthor... Plus I have free stuff on Wattpad! https://www.wattpad.com/user/MarkLawr... Mark Lawrence is married with four children, one of whom is severely disabled. Before becoming a fulltime writer in 2015 day job was as a research scientist focused on various rather intractable problems in the field of artificial intelligence. He has held secret level clearance with both US and UK governments. At one point he was qualified to say 'this isn't rocket science ... oh wait, it actually is'. Mark used to have a list of hobbies back when he did science by day. Now his time is really just divided between writing and caring for his disabled daughter. There are occasional forays into computer games too.

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