Book excerpt: Praise for the Empires of Bronze series: "Doherty truly brings the Hittite Empire to life" - World History magazine ★★★★★ "An action-packed epic" - Matthew Harffy, bestselling author of the acclaimed Bernicia Chronicles ★★★★★ "Vivid, immersive... wondrous!" - SJA Turney, bestselling author of the celebrated Marius' Mules series ★★★★★ "Meticulously researched" - Douglas Jackson, bestselling author of the esteemed Gaius Valerius Verrens series The time will come, as all times must, when the world will shake, and fall to dust… 1237 BC: It is an age of panic. The great empires are in disarray – ravaged by endless drought, shaken by ferocious earthquakes and starved of precious tin. Some say the Gods have abandoned mankind. When Tudha ascends the Hittite throne, the burden of stabilising the realm falls upon his shoulders. Despite his valiant endeavours, things continue to disintegrate; allies become foes, lethal plots arise, and enemy battle horns echo across Hittite lands. Yet this is nothing compared to the colossal, insidious shadow emerging from the west. Crawling unseen towards Tudha’s collapsing Hittite world comes a force unlike any ever witnessed; an immeasurable swarm of outlanders, driven by the cruel whip of nature, spreading fire and destruction: the Sea Peoples. Every age must end. The measure of a man is how he chooses to face it. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Conn Iggulden, Simon Scarrow, David Gemmell, Dan Davis and Matthew Harffy - a Bronze Age epic teeming with blood-soaked wars, haunting mysteries and far-flung adventures.