by Kate Elliott
First published 2013
Ilya Bakhtiian marshals his nomadic warriors for the siege of Karkand, the royal city that will complete jaran dominion over Rhui. His forces have already conquered town after town, forcing all peoples under jaran law. But Ilya faces a crisis closer to home. His wife Tess comes from Earth, not Rhui, and her brother Charles holds a duke's title in the very empire that claims Rhui as territory. Charles arrives on Rhui with his own agenda. He seeks crucial historical knowledge and wants to take Tess back to Earth, where she remains his sole heir. Charles still harbors dreams of human rebellion against their Chapalii overlords. Tess finds herself caught between two powerful men who assume they can direct her fate. Her husband expects her loyalty to his conquering campaign. Her brother demands she fulfill dynastic obligations. Neither man asks what Tess herself wants. As jaran forces prepare their final assault, the question becomes whether any human resistance against the ancient Chapalii empire can succeed, and whether Tess will submit to plans made without her consent.
Genres: science-fiction, historical-fiction, military-fiction, adventure, fantasy, action
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Karkand, Rhui
Period: Ancient
595 pages · Kindle Edition · Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy