Seal of the Worm

Seal of the Worm is the gripping conclusion to Adrian Tchaikovsky's acclaimed epic fantasy series, Shadows of the Apt. In this tenth installment, the Empire has finally triumphed over its foes, but the victory comes with dire consequences. Empress Seda, having cast her chief rival into the abyss, must confront the dark forces she has inadvertently awakened in her quest for power. The ancient Worm, long sealed away, is now stirring after a millennium of slumber, threatening to unleash devastation upon the world.

As the Worm begins to rise, it consumes everything in its path, leaving destruction in its wake. Empress Seda realizes that her hard-won victory may be overshadowed by the catastrophic threat posed by this ancient evil. With the Seal shattered, she understands that only a drastic and potentially horrific solution can contain the Worm once more. However, this raises a troubling question: if she resorts to such extreme measures to protect her realm from the Worm, who will protect the world from her own actions?

With rich world-building and complex characters, Seal of the Worm explores themes of power, sacrifice, and the consequences of ambition. As the series reaches its thrilling conclusion, readers are left to ponder the true cost of victory and the nature of evil. For those new to the saga, the journey begins with Empire in Black and Gold, setting the stage for an epic tale of war and empire that captivates from start to finish.