K. J. Parker 
Hammer 

‘The Hammer is a novel by an author working at the very top of her game. It is a thing of terrible beauty.’ – Interzone’Parker’s acerbic wit and knowledge of human nature are a delight to read’ – RT Book Reviews The colony was founded seventy years ago. The plan was originally to mine silver, but there turned out not to be any.Now an uneasy peace exists on the island, between the colonists and the once-noble met’Oc, a family in exile on a remote stronghold for their role in a vaguely remembered civil war. The met’Oc are tolerated, in spite of occasional cattle stealing raids, since they alone possess the weapons considered necessary protection in the event of the island’s savages becoming hostile.Intelligent, resourceful, and determined, Gignomai is the youngest brother in the current generation of met’Oc. He is about to realise exactly what is expected of him; and what it means to defy his family.Books by K.J. Parker:Fencer Trilogy The Colours in the Steel The Belly of the Bow The Proof House Scavenger Trilogy Shadow Pattern Memory Engineer Trilogy Devices and Desires Evil for Evil The Escapement Saloninus Blue and Gold The Devil You Know Two of Swords The Two of Swords: Part 1The Two of Swords: Part 2The Two of Swords: Part 3Novels The Company The Folding Knife The Hammer Sharps Savages Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City My Beautiful Life