**THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**

'THE START OF SOMETHING TRULY EPIC' Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga

'DAZZLING . . . THIS IS SPACE OPERA AT ITS BEST' Publishers Weekly

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Expanse comes a spectacular new space opera that sees humanity fighting for its survival in a war as old as the universe itself. Invasion is only the beginning . . .

The Carryx - part empire, part hive - has waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy in its conflict with an ancient and deathless enemy.

When they descend on the isolated world of Anjiin, the human population is abased, slaughtered and put in chains. The best and brightest are abducted, taken to the Carryx world-palace to join prisoners from a thousand other species.

Dafyd Alkhor, assistant to a prestigious scientist, is captured along with his team. Even he doesn't suspect that his peculiar insight and skills will be the key to seeing past their captors ' terrifying agenda.

Swept up in a conflict beyond his control and vaster than his imagination, Dafyd is poised to become humanity's champion - and its betrayer.

This is where his story begins.

'The beginning of what could be Corey's most epic - and entertaining - series yet. Simply mind-blowing' Kirkus

'No one builds a universe like James S. A. Corey. When it ends, all you'll want is . . . more' John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author

'Terrifying alien overlords and a vast intergalactic war with humankind on the brink of annihilation . . The Mercy of the Gods is the start of something truly epic' Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga

'Like The Expanse, The Mercy of Gods balances cosmic stakes with an astonishingly powerful human drama. Pitch-perfect storytelling' M. R. Carey, author of The Girl With All the Gifts

'A fast-paced, intelligent book. Corey is always one of the most engaging voices in the genre' Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time

'The Mercy of Gods radiates the dread and revelation of first contact, shaping new worlds and cultures that had me riveted' Bethany Jacobs, author of These Burning Stars

'All the things you want in an alien invasion novel: overwhelming aliens, end-of-world terror, and plucky humans who never stop fighting . . . A bang-up read. I want more' Paolo Bacigalupi, New York Times bestselling author

'A powerful, provocative masterpiece that I will be thinking about for a very long time' Ryka Aoki, author of Light from Uncommon Stars