A sharp feminist historical fantasy that blends politics, religion, and a battle for a dead king's throne, perfect for fans of the Realm of the Elderlings series.
The King is dead...
Struck down by lightning on a hunting trip, King Venais leaves the Kingdom of Arafaze with no clear successor. And soon enough the nobility are shedding loyalty in favour of ambition as two princesses with competing claims to the empty throne seek alliances and favours and the realm teeters on the brink of war.
Fear reaches far beyond the court. The Priestesses of the Sun and the Priests of the Moon, servants of the divinities that balance healing and death, truth and lies, must serve the people and keep the Sun Goddess and the Moon God above the designs of the powerful. But even in the churches ambition festers.
Away from high counsels, two wives, traders on the rivers that are the Realm's life blood, an agent, a priest and a priestess are drawn into the brutal tangle.
And, in the Shadow Realm, fear, lies and hatred are taking terrifying form..
Autorentext
Juliet E. McKenna is the author of 15 epic fantasy novels set in the world of Einarinn, as well as several novellas and countless short stories ranging from SF to steampunk and alternate history. She has been a judge for the World Fantasy Awards, the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the James White Award and the Aeon Award, and has, herself, been shortlisted for the British Fantasy Award and the BSFA Award for Best Novel.