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Under the Iron Sky

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What to expect

The first book in a new dark, seductive and all-consuming fantasy series, in which a human commander and the masked enemy interrogator sent to break her are drawn into a slow-burn, dangerous bond - one that could end a fifteen-year war or ignite something far deadlier. Perfect for fans of Alchemised and Samantha Shannon.

A multi-cast production, featuring original music and a choir of singers.

Vordell was beautiful once. Its people lived in harmony as they harnessed the power of light – until darkness came. The Iron Sky smothered the suns, the earth split, releasing vicious creatures, and the long-buried Dar’rak reclaimed the world above.

A high-ranking commander, Soraya Tollmere has spent most of her life on the front lines of the brutal war that followed. By day, she leads covert missions across ruined lands through enemy territory. By night, she meets with a Dar’rak defector who has kept humanity alive with his steady stream of secrets.

But when a lead that could turn the tide of the war draws her into enemy territory, Soraya is captured by The Demon, the Dar’rak’s most feared soldier. His orders are simple: break the human commander and uncover humanity’s greatest weapon.

As devastating truths unravel and loyalties blur, Soraya must decide who to trust in a world where light is dying… and where her greatest enemy may be her only salvation.

'Under the Iron Sky is a masterclass in dystopian worldbuilding, with characters and mystery that kept me glued to the pages. A. T. Emerald executes this enemies to lovers story flawlessly, and I’m counting down the seconds until the next book!' - The Fantasy Fangirls Podcast

'Riveting. Unique. Exquisite. An epic fantasy romance debut! I loved every word of this story and cannot wait for more. Bravo, A.T. Emerald!' - Devney Perry

'Under the Iron Sky sinks its teeth into you from the first page and refuses to let go. The dark, war-torn world is populated by characters who are all too easy to love—even when they have knives angled at each other's throats.' Lynn D. Jung

© A.T. Emerald 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Critics Review

Under the Iron Sky is fresh, engrossing, brilliantly energetic. A.T. Emerald has crafted a gorgeously realised world savouring of Mad Max and Pitch Black. The combat scenes are vivid, the enemies-to-lovers throughline goes hard on the enemies (to my vast delight), and a juicy vein of cynicism seeps through the characters' voices. An exhilarating ride.
Brigitte Knightley
A breath of fresh air—no pun intended. A.T. Emerald had me gripped from the start with her sharp-tongued characters and imaginative world. Consider me addicted.
Josie Bullard
Riveting. Unique. Exquisite. An epic fantasy romance debut! I loved every word of this story and cannot wait for more. Bravo, A.T. Emerald!
Devney Perry
Under the Iron Sky is a masterclass in dystopian worldbuilding, with characters and mystery that kept me glued to the pages. A. T. Emerald executes this enemies to lovers story flawlessly, and I’m counting down the seconds until the next book!
The Fantasy Fangirls Podcast
An absolute masterpiece of a debut. A gripping, gut-wrenching, gritty fantasy packed full of twists, turns and emotional damage. The complex characters, unique worldbuilding and stellar writing had me unable to put this book down. A must-read for dark fantasy fans.
Hazel McBride
Under the Iron Sky sinks its teeth into you from the first page and refuses to let go. The dark, war-torn world is populated by characters who are all too easy to love—even when they have knives angled at each other's throats. Wildly fun, gasp-worthy, and sure to hit the sweet spot for anyone looking for a slowburn enemies-to-lovers romance that will keep them turning the pages all night.
Lynn D. Jung
An incredibly unique and masterful take on a fantasy dystopia, with a cast of complicated characters you love, hate, and sometimes both at the same time. A.T. Emerald is a genius, and this is a debut novel that everyone is going to want on their bookshelves.
Jordan Rose
Whether it’s the dragons or the crackling chemistry between Soraya and Ikarus, Under the Iron Sky burns with tension from the first chapter to the final page. A.T. Emerald deftly blends a fascinating magic system, a dark slow-burn romance, and gripping world building in this fabulous debut. I could not put it down!
Moorea Corrigan
Utterly addictive. A pulse-pounding and immersive tale that grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. An astounding debut that will hook readers from the first page and deliver true enemies-to-lovers at its finest.
Wanda Hellmund, author of Our Dark Incantations
Author A. T. Emerald
Narrator Zara Hampton-Brown, James Joseph, Sam Stafford, Dan Calley, Kristin Atherton, Ayesha Antoine, Alby Baldwin, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Chuku Modu
Duration 16 hours and 4 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781804964668
Format Audiobook
Publisher Cornerstone
Genre Dark fantasy, Fantasy romance, Romance: enemies to lovers, Science fiction
Availability AU, GB, IE

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