Under Heaven

Shen Tai has spent two years burying the dead of both sides from a catastrophic battle at the edge of the empire, an act of honor that earns him an extraordinary and dangerous gift: 250 Sardian horses from the rival empire's princess, the finest cavalry animals in the known world. A gift of that value is also a target, and Shen Tai finds himself pulled back into the intrigues of the Tang-inspired empire of Kitai, where his brother's ambitions and his own past set him on a collision course with the most powerful forces in the realm.

Simon Vance brings his exceptional command of literary fantasy narration to Kay's Tang Dynasty-inspired world, giving the novel's epic scope and intimate character study equal weight. His performance reflects Kay's characteristic blend of historical resonance and emotional specificity, and the Sardian horses, simultaneously magnificent and menacing, feel fully real in Vance's telling. This World Fantasy Award winner is one of Kay's finest works.