In the brutal twilight of the Northern Wei dynasty, empires fracture and legends rise. The Glittering Man follows the unlikely rise of Mar Yanqa, who as a fifteen-year-old becomes a Khitan chieftain descended from a Persian King and a Chinese imperial princess. As rival clans, secretive priests, and decaying dynasties vie for control of China's vast frontiers, Mar Yanqa must forge unity through honor, cunning, and the weight of a legacy not entirely his own.
By his side stands Alan-Ko, a widowed Borjigin queen with the fire of the old Khitan spirit, whose love and wisdom shape the course of destiny. Together they must navigate prophecy, betrayal, and the relentless ambitions of generals and emperors. At the center of it all is Mar Yanqa's assumption of the legend of the Glittering Man, a warrior sent by the Sky God, whose jeweled armor blinds his enemies and whose desire for a better world will unravel empires.
As the mighty Wei empire begins to crumble from within, the battle for the soul of the steppes and the future of the Middle Kingdom has begun. Step into a world of thunderous hooves and whispered conspiracies, of sacred valleys and burning cities. The Glittering Man is a heart-pounding historical epic where legend and love collide against the backdrop of 6th-century Asia. From imperial massacres to mystical rites, from a wedding forged in blood to a rebellion born in exile, this sweeping saga blends the emotional depth of Wolf Hall with the savage beauty of The Last Kingdom.
Whether you crave court intrigue, epic battles, forbidden romance, or the rise of an unforgettable hero, The Glittering Man will grip you from the first page and leave you breathless until the last. Based on a true story and actual events, The Glittering Man reveals a time in the history of China when one man was able to change the world.
Perfect for readers of Guy Gavriel Kay, Conn Iggulden, and Madeline Miller.
Discover the legend. Follow the prophecy. Witness the rise of The Glittering Man.
