First published 2002
Dyhianna holds the throne of the Skolian Empire as the Ruby Pharaoh, but her family lies in ruins. Decades of political scheming and a catastrophic interstellar conflict have torn the Ruby Dynasty apart. Some members have died in the fighting. Others vanished without a trace, their fates unknown. The empire that once belonged to her bloodline now teeters on the edge of collapse. Time works against Dyhianna as she struggles to locate the surviving fragments of her royal family. The Ruby Dynasty must reclaim its hereditary right to rule Skolia, but first she needs to gather the scattered remnants of her house. Political enemies circle like vultures, ready to seize power from a weakened throne. The war has left deep scars across the empire, and only a united dynasty can hope to restore order. Dyhianna faces an impossible choice between speed and caution. Move too slowly, and rivals will consolidate their grip on power. Act too quickly, and she risks losing what little remains of her family forever. The fate of the Skolian Empire hangs on her ability to rebuild a dynasty from ashes.
Genres: science-fiction, fantasy, space-opera, political-thriller
Vibes: emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, political-intrigue
Setting: Skolian Empire
384 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Tor Science Fiction