The War of the Wolves nearly destroyed Jen-Sayeng, but the arranged marriage of Talyien of Oren-yaro to Rayyel of Ikessar would unite the nation. However, the night before they were crowned, Taliyen killed a man and Rayyel left, so Queen Taliyen holds power alone. Five years later, Talyien slips away from her home and her young son with a few guards, in hopes of a reconciliation with her estranged husband. What happens instead is an assassination attempt and a journey that takes her far from home, using her strength and wits to battle the forces that attempt to unseat her from her throne. The path that led to peace is strewn with hard emotions, bitter rivals, and power plays, leaving Taliyen to figure out if there is anyone she can trust. VERDICT Readers will be swept in by this strong protagonist and stunning worldbuilding, with a plot full of questions and surprises. Villoso's cunning, exciting debut is a new fantasy epic that readers will clamor for