Arthur C. Clarke winner Adrian Tchaikovsky's triumphant return to fantasy with a darkly inventive portrait of a city under occupation and on the verge of revolution . There has always been a darkness to Ilmar; but never more so than now. The city chafes under the heavy hand of the Palleseen occupation; the choke-hold of its criminal underworld; the boot of its factory owners; the weight of its wretched poor and the burden of its ancient curse. What will be the spark that lights the conflagration? Despite the city's refugees; wanderers; murderers; madmen; fanatics and thieves; the catalyst; as always; will be the Anchorwood – that dark grove of trees; that primeval remnant; that portal; when the moon is full; to strange and distant shores. Ilmar; some say; is the worst place in the world and the gateway to a thousand worse places. Ilmar; City of Long Shadows. City of Bad Decisions. City of Last Chances. Praise for Adrian Tchaikovsky: 'Brilliant science fiction and far out worldbuilding' James McAvoy 'Entertaining; smart; surprising and unexpectedly human' Patrick Ness 'A refreshingly new take on post-dystopia civilizations; with the smartest evolutionary worldbuilding you'll ever read' Peter F. Hamilton