Dive into the shadowy, pulse-pounding world of Twenty Palaces, where magic is a dangerous weapon and survival is never guaranteed! Written by Harry Connolly, this urban fantasy series follows Ray Lilly, a former criminal turned reluctant hero, as he battles otherworldly predators under the command of the enigmatic Twenty Palace Society. With its gritty tone and unique magic system, it’s a must-read for fans craving a darker, more intense fantasy experience.
Unlike typical urban fantasy filled with sparkling vampires or witty wizards, Twenty Palaces delivers a raw, morally complex narrative. Ray’s limited magical abilities and troubled past make him an underdog you can’t help but root for, while the series’ relentless pacing keeps you glued to the pages. Ready to explore a world where every spell could be your last?
How Twenty Palaces Began
Harry Connolly, a Seattle-based author, launched Twenty Palaces with his debut novel, Child of Fire, in 2009. Inspired by a love for noir, horror, and classic fantasy, Connolly crafted a world where magic is rare, dangerous, and tightly controlled by the secretive Twenty Palace Society. His goal was to create a series that stood apart from the urban fantasy boom of the 2000s, avoiding romance-heavy tropes and focusing on high-stakes action and moral dilemmas.
Connolly’s background as a stay-at-home dad and his eclectic work history—from customer service to landscaping—infused the series with a grounded, everyman perspective. Despite critical acclaim, including a starred review from Publishers Weekly for Child of Fire, the series faced commercial challenges, leading to a hiatus after 2011. Fan support and crowdfunding later revived it, proving its cult appeal.
The Heart of Twenty Palaces
The series kicks off with Child of Fire (2009), where Ray Lilly, a low-level operative, accompanies sorceress Annalise Powliss to stop a rogue magician sacrificing children to a predatory entity. Game of Cages (2010) ups the ante as Ray battles a secret auction for a deadly creature, while Circle of Enemies (2011) sees him confronting old friends infected by magic. Later entries like The Iron Gate (2022) and The Flood Circle (2022) escalate the stakes, diving deeper into the Society’s secrets.
Twenty Palaces shines through its themes of moral ambiguity, power’s cost, and survival. Ray’s “ghost knife,” a spell that cuts through magic and willpower, symbolizes his precarious role as a “wooden man”—a disposable decoy for the Society. The Pacific Northwest and Los Angeles settings ground the supernatural in a gritty, believable world. Unlike the quip-heavy Dresden Files, Connolly’s lean prose and bleak tone create a noir-inspired fantasy that’s both thrilling and thought-provoking.
The magic system, rooted in rare spellbooks and extradimensional predators, is a standout. Sorcerers risk becoming monsters, and the Society’s ruthless mission to control magic adds layers of intrigue. Ray’s growth from a desperate ex-con to a resilient hero ties the series together, making each book a gripping blend of action, horror, and heart.
Why Twenty Palaces Resonates
Despite its niche status, Twenty Palaces has left a mark on urban fantasy. Its uncompromising darkness and innovative magic system have earned it a dedicated fanbase, with readers praising Ray’s relatability and the series’ refusal to soften its edges. The Kickstarter-funded revival of the series in 2022 highlights its enduring appeal, as fans rallied to bring Ray and Annalise back.
The series’ influence lies in its bold departure from genre norms, offering a blueprint for urban fantasy that prioritizes stakes over sentimentality. For readers tired of predictable tropes, Twenty Palaces remains a hidden gem that rewards those who seek it out. Its legacy is a testament to the power of storytelling that dares to be different.
- First Book: Child of Fire (2009)
- Latest Book: The Flood Circle (2022)
- Total Books: 5 novels, 1 novella
- Award: Child of Fire named to Publishers Weekly’s Best 100 Books of 2009
Ready to brave a world of dark magic and impossible odds? Grab Child of Fire and step into the thrilling, unforgiving universe of Twenty Palaces today!