From an electrifying new voice in epic fantasy comes a masterfully woven tale
of imperial intrigue, cutthroat competition, and one scholar's quest to uncover
the truth. She might win the throne. She might destroy an empire. Either way, it
begins with murder. After twenty-four years on the throne, it is time for Bersun
the Brusque, emperor of Orrun, to bring his reign to an end. In the dizzying
heat of mid-summer, seven contenders will compete to replace him. Trained at
rival monasteries, each contender is inspired by a sacred animal - Fox, Raven,
Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey, and Hound. An eighth - the Dragon proxy - will be
revealed only once the trials have begun. Eight exceptional warriors, thinkers,
strategists - the best of the best. Then one of them is murdered. It falls to
the brilliant but idiosyncratic Neema Kraa to investigate. But as she hunts for
a killer, darker forces are gathering. If Neema succeeds, she could win the
throne - whether she wants it or not. But if she fails, she will sentence
herself to death - and set in motion a sequence of events that could doom the
empire . . .