The Marek Series

Book cover for "The Deep And Shining Dark" by Juliet Kemp, Book 1 of the Marek Series. Cover shows sailing ships in a dock at sunset.

The Deep And Shining Dark (Book I of The Marek Series)

"A rich and memorable tale of political ambition, family and magic, set in an imagined city that feels as vibrant as the characters inhabiting it." — Aliette de Bodard, Nebula-award winning author of The Tea Master and the Detective

"A novel that’s one part high fantasy, one part political fantasy, and one part old-fashioned sword-and-sorcery – without the swords or the lack of realistic diversity to which old-fashioned sword-and-sorcery was often prone." — Liz Bourke, Locus

Juliet Kemp's The Deep And Shining Dark (Elsewhen) was one of the best debuts of the year, set in a chewy and thought-provoking secondary world that one hopes to see more of." — Graham Sleight, Locus Recommended Reading List 2018

"an entertaining and well written fantasy novel with subtle complexity, good worldbuilding and fluent characterisation" — Rising Shadow

Shadow And Storm (Book II of The Marek Series)

Marcia wants to make changes in Marek after the events of the summer, but now distant Teren is making a play for political power in the city. Meanwhile, Tait, a young Teren sorcerer on the run, sees Marek and its cityangel Beckett as a place of safety; which will be true only until Beckett discovers there's a demon chasing Tait. Are the demon and the machinations of the Teren Lieutenant connected? Are Marcia's political goals worth the risk of facing down a demon? And can Marcia's sorcerer brother Cato avoid getting involved?

"Shadow and Storm is an absolute delight to read, the literary equivalent of sinking into the embrace of a dear friend. Warm and cosy but never short on adventure and intrigue, Kemp's second entry into this series won't disappoint. The characters are real, full of depth, and richly drawn, and you'll wish you had even more time with them by book's end. A fantastic read!" — Rivers Solomon, Locus, Tiptree, and Lambda Award finalist

Buy Shadow and Storm as an ebook now! (Paperback available from your local bookshop, or direct from Elsewhen.)

Cover of Shadow and Storm; a statue overlooks a stormy sky, with two figures talking in the background.
Book cover for The Rising Flood: the image shows a stormy sky and a collapsing bridge, with a figure in the foreground casting a spell towards it.

The Rising Flood (Book III of The Marek Series)

"Fantasy politics with real nuance and believable uncertainty, characters whose richness and depth has developed over three books, and a growing threat that starts pulling together threads across the series make The Rising Flood a fantastic read, while Marek is a textured place that is a joy to return to.” — Malka Older, Hugo Award finalist author of the Centenal Cycle series

There's darkness in the heart of Teren. Refugees, fleeing demons unleashed by the Academy, arrive in Marek; but Marek, dreaming of independence, is increasingly unstable.

Marcia, Heir to House Fereno — expecting a child and with her relationship in ruins — battles to manage threats internal and external, while rebels from the lower city demand change in rabble-rousing pamphlets, and Marek’s two remaining sorcerers, Marcia's brother Cato and her ex-lover Reb, struggle to train more. Teren's many demons threaten, and no one is ready.

Menaced by the distant capital, by dissension from within, and by out-of-season storms rampaging across the Oval Sea by nature itself — will the rising flood lift all boats? Or will they be capsized?

"I found The Rising Flood an engrossing read, the fullness of the prose transporting me to a world that is complex and well-realised, but also emotionally and politically recognisable. It’s a novel that appreciates the weight and complexity of adult decision making, and the nuances of how personal relationships sometimes have to be politically navigated." — Andi C. Buchanan, author of From A Shadow Grave

Buy now from your favourite e-book retailer! (Paperback out Dec 7th 2021.)

The City Revealed (Book IV of The Marek Series)

The city of Marek is newly independent from their neighbour Teren — but Selene, representative of Teren, has threatened to return, and this time, with sorcerers and demons in tow. Last year, the sorcerers of Marek narrowly defeated a single Teren-summoned demon; how might they fare against a dozen or more?

Meanwhile, the common people of Marek grow increasingly fervent in their own demands for representation – for a say in how the city is run, and for whom it is run. Marcia, Fereno-Heir, agrees with the Lower City; they deserve a better say. But the Council won’t hear of it – then Selene arrives to make good on her threat. Marcia must convince the Council to believe in Selene's magical threats, whilst her sorcerer brother, Cato, rushes to build some sort of defence.
Because if Teren’s demons can pass the Cityangel’s wards, it’ll be the end of them all.

The City Revealed” is an absorbing fantasy set in a richly imagined world. A lovingly drawn and diverse set of characters struggle both personally and politically with the consequences of their own and others’ actions, and strive for cooperation without sacrificing principles. A thoroughly satisfying read. – Una McCormack, New York Timesbestselling science fiction author.

“Eminently satisfying epic fantasy where the personal, the political and the magical are multilayered and interlocked.” – Juliet E. McKenna, Author of the Green Man series and the Tales of Einarinn series.

Cover artwork by Tony Allcock

Buy The City Revealed as ebook or paperback now!

Book cover of The City Revealed, with two figures on a ship looking back at a city.