{"product_id":"the-raven-scholar-9781529339871","title":"The Raven Scholar : the masterfully woven and breathtaking epic adult fantasy of cutthroat competition and imperial deceit","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Sunday Times bestseller from an electrifying new voice in epic fantasy - a masterfully woven tale of imperial intrigue, cutthroat competition, and one scholar's quest to uncover the truth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe might win the throne. She might destroy an empire. Either way, it begins with murder.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter twenty-four years on the throne, it is time for Bersun the Brusque, emperor of Orrun, to bring his reign to an end. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders will compete to replace him.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTrained at rival monasteries, each contender is inspired by a sacred animal - Fox, Raven, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey, and Hound. An eighth - the Dragon proxy - will be revealed only once the trials have begun. Eight exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists - the best of the best.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThen one of them is murdered.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt falls to the brilliant but idiosyncratic Neema Kraa to investigate. But as she hunts for a killer, darker forces are gathering.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf Neema succeeds, she could win the throne - whether she wants it or not. But if she fails, she will sentence herself to death - and set in motion a sequence of events that could doom the empire . . .\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor: Antonia Hodgson\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eFantasy\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003ch5\u003ePublished on 30 Apr 2026 by Hodder \u0026amp; Stoughton.\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePaperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Antonia Hodgson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57320384495994,"sku":"9781529339871","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0373\/4125\/files\/9781529339871.jpg?v=1790650696","url":"https:\/\/belfastbooks.co.uk\/products\/the-raven-scholar-9781529339871","provider":"Belfast Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}