Lexicon

In a world where language is the ultimate weapon, Max Barry's 'Lexicon' unravels a chilling conspiracy centered around a secret society of 'poets' who can manipulate reality with carefully crafted words. Emily Ruff, a gifted but troubled young woman with an innate ability to persuade, is recruited from the streets to an exclusive academy that trains these linguistic assassins. She quickly discovers the sinister power and profound danger inherent in her unique talent. Simultaneously, Wil Parke, an amnesiac who miraculously survived an encounter he shouldn't have, finds himself relentlessly hunted by the same enigmatic organization. He has no memory of his past, or why he's become their target, only a desperate need to stay one step ahead. As their disparate paths intertwine, they uncover a terrifying truth about 'the word'—a mythical utterance so potent it can kill—and a high-stakes battle for its control that threatens to unravel the fabric of their world. Barry delivers a brilliant, fast-paced thriller that blurs the lines between science fiction and psychological suspense, where every sentence carries lethal potential.