First published 2010
Shen Tai has spent two years alone by a lake, burying the bones of 100,000 soldiers from a brutal battle. His solitary vigil is disrupted when he receives an unexpected gift: 250 priceless Sardian horses from the bartered Kitan princess. Now Tai must navigate the treacherous politics of the Kitan Empire, fend off deadly assassins, and confront the ghosts of the past to protect his precious herd and his own life.
Genres: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, fantasy, political-thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, political-intrigue
Setting: China
Period: Tang Dynasty, 618-907
573 pages · Hardcover · Roc