Cello's Gate
the exhilarating first book in an action-packed, must-read fantasy adventure (Sky Pirates of Imperia 1)
$29.75
- Paperback
592 pages
- Release Date
3 November 2026
Summary
Captain Grey and his crew of sky pirates have a reputation for doing the impossible. From breaking into high-security military research facilities to conning the iCity elite-there isn’t a lock they can’t pick, a safe they can’t break, or a hidden treasure they can’t find. Until now.
Returning from a harrowing heist involving a neon battery and a trash chute, Grey and his crew are approached by Dalia, the immortal daughter of the infamous ArchGovernor-and she has an offer.
…Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781399763080 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1399763083 |
| Author: | Maurice Africh |
| Publisher: | Hodder & Stoughton |
| Imprint: | Hodderscape |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 592 |
| Release Date: | 3 November 2026 |
| Dimensions: | 153mm x 234mm |
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Critics Review
This stellar debut is exactly the kind of book I love to read. It’s got scheming immortals, a perilous quest, and a ragtag band of eclectic, eccentric, exceedingly dangerous misfits setting out on a grand adventure. And did I mention the monsters? The skyships? The witty banter? Wait, are we sure I didn’t write this myself? This one’s a must-read, and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here. – Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld
Fun and thrilling with a cast of memorable characters. It’s hard to find a stronger debut novel. – Aaron N. Hall, author of The Legend of Uh
A spellbinding blend of found family, epic heisting, and murder-full suspense! – Andy Peloquin, author of Darkblade
The very definition of rip-roaring. – Richard Swan, Sunday Times Bestselling author of The Empire of the Wolf series.
“The pacing is brisk, like being chased through a collapsing cathedral… (Africh) clearly understands the balance between character development, creative bloodshed, and pitch-black humor… The world-building is dense and rich, a fusion of tech and magic; cities ruled by immortal tyrants, knights who fight like the wind, and monsters. The magic system is sparse, just enough to salt the story. The prose is witty. Occasionally poetic. Frequently unhinged. It feels like (Africh) dared you to laugh at tragedy, and then made you cry in the next paragraph. – Florian Armas, author of Chronicle of the Seer
Cello’s Gate truly was the wickedly wild and uniquely imaginative adventure I didn’t know I needed in my life. It’s epic yet intimate, dark yet light-hearted, playful yet emotional, and it’s got a fun factor that just soars higher than the sky. Ghandammit frens, this is how you write one hell of a debut! – Esmay Rosalyne, Grimdark Magazine
Maurice Africh
Maurice Africh is an ex-theatre kid with a passion for tasty food, semi-luxurious travel, reality competition television shows, D&D, and fantasy novels. He currently lives in Asheville, North Carolina with his beautiful wife, Rachel, and his cute, albeit cranky chihuahua, Toby. He also hopes you liked this book because he’s sort of banked his entire reputation on it. Plus, he’s already writing the next one.
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