Tchaikovsky's 'Pretenders' released in Feb
Adrian Tchaikovsky’s 'Pretenders to the Throne of God' was released in February 2026 as part of the "Tyrant Philosophers" collection [https://www.booksandspreadsheets.com/special-editions/pretenders-to-the-throne-of-god-adrian-tchaikovsky-goldsboro-books, https://www.booksellers.ca/books/pretenders-to-the-throne-of-god-9781035914975]. The book is published by Head of Zeus and is 512 pages long [https://www.booksandspreadsheets.com/special-editions/pretenders-to-the-throne-of-god-adrian-tchaikovsky-goldsboro-books, https://www.booksellers.ca/books/pretenders-to-the-throne-of-god-9781035914975].
"Pretenders to the Throne of God" is the fourth novel in Tchaikovsky's "Tyrant Philosophers" series. The series utilizes a mosaic narrative structure to explore themes of industrialization, colonialism, and the friction between rigid bureaucracy and chaotic magic. The "Tyrant Philosophers" series takes place in a world undergoing a forced industrial revolution driven by the Palleseen Sway. The Palleseen are motivated by a bureaucratic form of social engineering and seek to sanitize the world of "Incorrectness". "Pretenders to the Throne of God" focuses on the siege of Eres Ffenegh, also known as the "City on the Back of a Crab," by the Palleseen army. The city is known for sitting on a giant dead crab god and having some of the best demon brothels in the land. The novel features new characters like Devil Jack, an apprentice conjurer, and Kiffel ea Leachan, the city's champion. It also features the Pal specialist Quellery, commander Dantell, and the Widow Abellaime. The series is planned to conclude with a fifth book, "The Grave of Perfection," which will return to Ilmar, the city where the series began. Tchaikovsky has indicated he may revisit the setting in the future to explore more corners and characters.
