After a deadly duel with a jealous rival, Pierre de Siorac must travel to Paris, to seek his pardon from the King. In the capital city he finds a world of sweet words and fierce pride, where coquettish smiles hide behind fans, and murderous intents behind elegant bows. But the court's elaborate social graces mask a simmering tension that will soon explode to engulf the entire city. When it does, Pierre faces the greatest challenge of his young existence-not merely to win a royal pardon, but to escape from Paris with his life, and the lives of his beloved companions, intact.

"The best so far" - Sunday Times Culture magazine

"Merle's writing style is entertaining, easy to read and well-paced... thought-provoking yet thrilling swashbucklers - and immensely good fun" - Historical Novel Society

"A powerfully accessible path of introspection and questioning of the present through the past." - Bookanista

"This is the most absorbing of the series so far... each volume may be built like a mouse brick to look at but it's not at all brick like in the reading." - Book bag

"If you remember reading and loving Alexandre Dumas then this continues in the same vein... sword-slashing action" - The Connexion

"Modern-day Dumas finally crosses the channel" - Observer

"Swashbuckling historical fiction... For all its philosophical depth [The Brethren] is a hugely entertaining romp... The comparisons with Dumas seem both natural and deserved and the next 12 instalments [are] a thrilling prospect" - Guardian

"A sprawling, earthy tale of peril, love, lust, death, dazzling philosophical debate and political intrigue... an engrossing saga" - Gransnet

"Historical fiction at its very best... This fast paced and heady brew is colourfully leavened with love and sex and a great deal of humour and wit. The second instalment cannot be published too soon." - We Love This Book

"A vivid novel by France's modern Dumas... [there is] plenty of evidence in the rich characterisation and vivid historical detail that a reader's long-term commitment will be amply rewarded" - Sunday Times

"A master of the historical novel" - Guardian

"Both wise and audacious, constantly nudging up against the extraordinary." - The New York Times Book Review

"So rich in historical detail... the characters are engaging" - Sunday Express

"This is old-fashioned story-telling. It has swagger and, vibrancy with big characters... A gripping story with humour and strength and real attention to historical detail" - Mature Times

"Cleverly depicts France's epic religious wars through the intimate prism of one family's experience. It's beautifully written too." - Metro

"The spectacular 13-volume evocation of 16th-17th-century France" - Independent

"A lively adventure... anyone keen on historical fiction [should] look forward to the next instalment" - Telegraph

"The Dumas of the twentieth century" - Neues Deutschland

"A wonderful, colourful, breathlessly narrated historical panorama" - Zeitpunkt

"Robert Merle is one of the very few French writers who has attained both popular success and the admiration of critics. The doyen of our novelists is a happy man" - Le Figaro