First published 2024
Zetian sits on the throne of Huaxia, but her victory feels hollow. An enemy holds one of her loved ones hostage, forcing her into an uneasy alliance with a man she cannot trust. Together they must spark a revolution against the systems that have exploited their people for generations. The former elites fight back with everything they have. The common people's hunger for justice turns violent and suspicious. Zetian wanted to be a fair ruler, but power proves harder to wield than to seize. Revolution proves harder to control than to start. As blood flows and paranoia spreads, Zetian faces a choice. She can rely on fear and violence to maintain control, or she can risk losing everything she fought to build. Her quest for vengeance and liberation may force her to become the very thing she once opposed.
Genres: dystopia, adventure, fantasy, action, political-thriller
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family, reluctant-hero
Setting: Huaxia
Period: 21st-century
544 pages · Hardcover · Tundra Books
Content warnings: violence