'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 1

The Two of Swords: Part 2

The Two of Swords: Part 3

Novels

The Company

The Folding Knife

The Hammer

Sharps

Savages

Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City

My Beautiful Life