AustLit

'“Your Majesty, I take life. I am not certain that my skills actually extend to preserving it.” There are always those who are willing to pay for someone else’s death. Having grown up amongst the Family of Assassins, ELEN-AI knows well the prices people are willing to pay to see their enemies fall quickly, quietly, and discreetly. When she is asked to preserve life rather than take it, she is surprised. Upon hearing that her charge is the Queen’s only child GIDYON, who is secretly being groomed to succeed his mother, she is horrified. To ensure political stability, no man has ever sat on the throne of the Queendom of the Seven Lakes. Yet one does not easily refuse a Queen, and so reluctantly, Elen-ai accepts the contract. Her fears only deepen upon meeting the sixteen-year-old Prince Gidyon, who treats her as no better than a petty murderer. However, following an attack on his life, Elen-ai is forced to admit that the danger of leaving this boy-prince alone may be even worse than leaving him to his own devices. Elen-ai reluctantly accompanies Gidyon across the country to identify those within the seven most powerful families who are responsible for the attempt on the Prince’s life. Somewhere in their travels from the calm waters of Lake Tak to the looming cliffs above Lake Bertak, the two form an unlikely yet profound friendship, and Elen-ai begins to see that Gidyon has the makings of a great ruler within him. As they meet with the families of power, it becomes increasingly clear that secrets and power games run far deeper throughout the Queendom of the Seven Lakes than either of them ever suspected.'   (Publication summary)

'“I swear before the Shadow God that you Gidyon, my King, are my friend and always will be. I swear that I will never forsake you, nor will I leave you.”

'No man has ever sat on the throne of the Second Country, until now. Elen-ai of the Family of Assassins has returned to the Palace to assist King Gidyon in securing his place on the throne. While she might know that the burden of rule is secure on Gidyon's young shoulders, many cannot abide the breach of tradition, while others see an opportunity to further their own position.

'With allegiances forming across the Queendom Gidyon and Elen-ai desperately seek a way to secure his position, but the peace and stability of the Second Country seem increasingly in doubt.

'As civil war becomes an ever more distinct outcome Elen-ai faces a battle of her own, for one cannot be both an assassin, and friend to a King.'  (Publication summary)

'"Lying is not simply about telling a plausible story, it's about being able to tell what someone will want to believe" To outsiders, the Fourth Country is an unforgiving place. Under the leadership of ruthless women, powerful families regularly wage brutal campaigns against one another to increase their land and wealth, and men live in a state of complete subjugation. Lexana, heiress to the Farwan family, is sent to the Academy, an elite institution where the daughters of powerful families learn and refine techniques to maintain and gain power. There, she finds herself attracted to Jaxen, one of the teachers who defies convention and goes about unveiled. His apparent disregard for what is expected of him leaves her both uneasy and fascinated. Then the impossible comes to pass, and disaster befalls the Farwan family. Lexa must leave the Academy to find her mother and help restore her family to power. Jaxen insists upon accompanying her, arguing that she cannot survive without his help. Lexa can't be certain that she can trust Jaxen, but he is right; she needs his help if she is to succeed.'  (Publication summary)