by Paula Volsky
First published 1997
Renille vo Chaumelle receives orders that will change everything. The civil servant, born of both conquering and native bloodlines, must penetrate the Fastness of the Gods and spy on the priests of Aoun. His mission includes a possible assassination of the lead priest, believed to be the god's own son. The native population grows restless under foreign rule, and Aoun's cult drives the brewing rebellion with deadly fervor. Inside the temple's sacred chambers, Renille uncovers truths his superiors never imagined. His discoveries lead him to Princess Jathondi, daughter of the native ruler, who stands at the center of the coming storm. The fanatic priests serve a flesh-hungry deity, while their arrogant overlords remain blind to the real danger. Revolution erupts around them, unleashing apocalyptic magic that threatens to destroy the nation itself. Renille and Jathondi face a terrible choice as ancient powers awaken and the barrier between heaven and earth begins to crack.
Genres: historical-fiction, fantasy, political-thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: chosen-one, enemies-to-lovers
Setting: Fastness of the Gods, Aoun
Period: ancient
400 pages · Paperback · Spectra
Content warnings: colonialism, violence