In the grand tradition of George RR Martin & Robert Jordan Sunday Times bestselling author Peter V Brett continues his critically acclaimed Demon Cycle with the next dramatic instalment THE SKULL THRONE Built from the skulls of fallen generals & demon princes the Skull Throne of Krasia is a seat of honour & powerful magic that keeps the demon corelings at bay From atop it Ahmann Jardir was meant to conquer the known world forging a unified army to end the demon war once & for all Arlen Bales the Painted Man stood against this course challenging Jardir to a duel to the death Rather than risk defeat Arlen cast Jardir & himself from a precipice opening a struggle for succession that threatens to tear the Free Cities of Thesa apart Renna Bales may know the fate of Arlen & Jadir but she too has disappeared Now Jardir's sons clash to claim the throne & risk a civil war among their people Leesha Paper & Rojer Inn struggle to unite the duchies of Angiers & Miln against the Krasians Caught in the crossfire the rich & unprotected duchy of Lakton sits ripe for conquest All the while the corelings have grown stronger-and without Arlen & Jardir none may be able to stop them