Review by Booklist Review
This third book of the Reborn Empire series follows the continuing saga of the nomadic Levanti people's struggle to find their place in the ongoing conflicts between the Kisians and Chiltaens. Levanti Rah e'Torin recovers from serious injuries sustained in a challenge for control of his Second Swords of Torin while Dishiva e'Jaroven adapts to a new role separated from her people after not following orders to attack a camp of deserting Levanti. Gideon e'Torin, the First Sword of the Torin and now emperor of Levanti Kisia, has fallen under the supernatural influence of religious leader Leo Villius. Kisian Miko Ts'ai consolidates her power-building alliances, learning how to lead, and preparing her army for a campaign to consolidate her authority. Chiltaen Cassandra Marius, her spirit separated from her body and trapped in the body of the elderly Kisian Empress Hana Ts'ai, is still on the run while trying to recover her body from the control of Kaysa, who is not interested in sharing that body with Cassandra any longer. All of them are trying to do their best for their people, or themselves, while trying to figure out exactly what that looks like, as they try to learn, then oppose, the unknown plans of Leo Villius. All to be continued in the next installment of the series.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Madson's riveting third Reborn Empire fantasy (after We Lie with Death) finds new empress Miko Ts'ai struggling to gain the respect of her generals and unite the Kisian Empire under her leadership. She organizes her army to take Kiyoshio castle, a mission that sends Kisia into a battle for which it is unprepared, forcing Miko into the controversial move of allying with the Levanti tribe. Meanwhile, the Levanti are just as divided as the Kisians. The cunning Leo Villius has transformed ruler Gideon e'Torin into his puppet and names Dishiva e'Jaroven the Defender of the One True God, hoping to seed distrust and isolate her from her followers. But Dishiva seizes this position to get to Gideon and bring the Levanti out from under Leo's control. Horse whisperer Ezma e'Topi also vies for control of the tribe as exile Rah e'Torin works to understand Ezma's true intentions. And while larger battles rage, Leo hunts and captures Chiltean assassin Cassandra Marius and former Kisian empress Hana. Hana is dying and her options are dwindling, so she and Cassandra scramble for a plan to stop Leo once and for all. Madson continues to drive the complex story forward with a focus on her nuanced, interconnected characters. This is sure to delight series fans. Agent: Julie Crisp, Julie Crisp Literary. (Aug.)
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