Burnt Empire Saga

Two princes, Shvate and Adri, are born in Hastinaga, capital of the vast Krushan empire-one blind, the other albino. Though one cannot see, and the other cannot face sunlight, the Dowager Empress Jilana and Prince Regent Vrath assure their people and allies that all will be well. Any rumblings of dissent are summarily quashed and none dares challenge the might of the Burnt Empire. But when Jarsun of Reygistan's daughter is spurned by the ruling family despite her legitimate claim to the Throne, Jarsun-a powerful demonlord-embarks upon a relentless campaign to destroy the Burnt Empire and all who stand in his way.

Returning to Ashok K. Banker's brilliant #OwnVoices, epic fantasy world of the Burnt Empire, first introduced in Upon a Burning Throne, A Dark Queen Rises features Krushita? and Karni, two women on quests to protect the innocent and bring down tyrants. Queen Aqreen of Aquila leaves her husband Jarsun and flees across the Red Desert. She is determined to keep her daughter from being used by Jarsun to stake his claim to the Burning Throne of Hastinaga, seat of the all-powerful Burnt Empire. But Jarsun is powerful and vengeful, and can summon legions of demoniac forces at will. The Red Desert is vast, and the journey epic. Aqreen and Krushita's caravan of ten thousand wagons will take several years to reach the only safe harbor, the queendom of Reygar. Jarsun's pursuit is relentless and his vengeance terrible, but hope shines from the growing powers of little Krushita herself, along with the four-armed twin-bodied Vanjhani wagon train leader and their band of valiant desert militia. Fierce battles are in store. There are other players in this great game of demigods and mortals, each pursuing their own agendas. The powerful seer-mage Vessa seeks to join Krushita's talents with that of Drishya, an avatar destined to confront and kill Tyrak, Jarsun's diabolical son-in-law. Ladislew the assassin aligns with Tyrak for her own reasons. All paths culminate in a feverish finale on the hot sands of Reygar, as father, mother, and daughter confront each other in one final showdown.

Since the events of Upon a Burning Throne, this story has been climbing towards a climax, leading to Krushni's plan for vengeance against her father, Jarsun, and culminating in a wedding contest in Gwannland. Guru Dronas, bent on erasing Gwannland from existence, is in attendance. Accompanying him are the Seth and the Krushan Hundred—sons of Adri, emperor of the Burnt Empire—and Jarsun. The five children of Shvate, who was murdered by Jarsun, are also present and eager to avenge their father's death. The stakes are high as the participants put their talents on display. But when the situation escalates into an all-out battle, Jarsun springs a surprise: The greatest army ever assembled is at their doorstep. Valiant Krushni and her allies are vastly outnumbered and outmatched. However, Krushni and Guru Vessa, her mentor, have a few surprises of their own. All of the significant players in the empire are ready to compete. The bloody cycle of vengeance that began in Upon a Burning Throne and continued in A Dark Queen Rises climaxes in a thrilling, epic battle in this trilogy's conclusion.