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The gripping conclusion a thrilling fantasy adventure trilogy filled with necromancy and bone-chilling magic from the bestselling US author of the Nightrunner series. Long ago Skala was ruled only by Queens, in accordance with prophecy. King Erius, fearing that the prophecy might be evoked as a means to dethrone him, had most of his female relatives assassinated. When his sister fell pregnant with twins, two of Skala's wizards were warned by the oracle and took steps to conceal the girl who survived her twin brother at birth. Now Prince Tobin has been revealed as Princess Tamir, the true heir to the throne - and Skala has never been more in need of a true Queen. But at the age of fifteen Tamir is deeply confused by the new identity that has been thrust upon her, and feels betrayed by the wizards who tricked her and all her friends. Her demonic twin still haunts her, but now that the spell concealing her identity has been broken, the bond between them is severed. Brother is no longer under Tamir's control, and he is bent on vengeance for the sins committed against him. Meanwhile Erius's son Korin, Tamir's beloved cousin, has claimed the throne and declared her a traitor. But as the country slides into civil war the people begin to acclaim Tamir as their saviour. Tamir strives to avoid conflict, but Korin's weakness and Tamir's honour will lead them to the ultimate clash of wills.
After the revelation of her true identity, Princess Tamir must navigate a fractured kingdom and the vengeful spirit of her deceased twin brother to claim her rightful throne. Forced into a role she never sought, Tamir struggles with the betrayal of the wizards who manipulated her upbringing while facing the immediate threat of civil war. Her cousin, Korin, has seized power and branded her a traitor, leaving Tamir to balance her personal sense of honor against the necessity of military and political survival. The narrative follows her internal and external conflicts as she attempts to reconcile her past as Prince Tobin with her future as the Oracle's Queen.
This work is characterized by its focus on the complex transition of its protagonist from a male-coded prince to a female queen. The narrative emphasizes the psychological toll of the deception played upon Tamir by the wizards, framing her struggle as one of autonomy rather than simple conquest. The presence of the demonic twin serves as a manifestation of the protagonist's past, creating a persistent internal antagonist that mirrors the external political strife. The genre conventions suggest a focus on the moral ambiguity of power and the heavy cost of fulfilling ancient, rigid prophecies in a changing world.
Page Count:
400
Publication Date:
2006-01-01
Publisher:
Harper Voyager
ISBN-10:
0007113129
ISBN-13:
9780007113125
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