We dream of gods

The religious, political, and personal conflict between the Chiltaens, the Kisians, and the Levanti comes to an epic close in Madson's masterful final Reborn Empire fantasy (after We Cry for Blood). As the Chiltaens continue their assault in Kisia, the villainous Leo Villius--who has been demoted from the role of hieromonk and replaced by Dishiva e'Jaroven, a Levanti--schemes to regain both power and control over his brother, Unus. To do so, Villius must take Lady Sichi to be his consort with two voices, and thus complete another step in his path to becoming the Veld reborn, but this plan is jeopardized by Kisian Empress Miko Ts'ai's plot to maintain her own power. Assassins Cassandra, Kaysa, and Yakono are closing in on Leo Villius as well. Meanwhile, Rah and Gideon face the wrath of their fellow Levanti as they navigate the scheming of Whisperer Ezma. The author manages to tie up myriad loose threads in an incredibly satisfying finale. None of the characters are lost in the action, each coming to an ending that feels entirely right for their arc. Madson sends the series out on a high. Agent: Julie Crisp, Julie Crisp Literary. (Mar.)