Dark Empress

Book excerpt: When stranded on the fringe of a crumbling Empire, how do you defend what really matters? A time of trials, war and terror is coming to the desert city of M’Dahz, the Empire’s southernmost outpost. As Imperial power falters, then withdraws, the population lives in constant fear of invasion by vicious Pelasian satraps. Meanwhile, brothers Samir and Ghassan, and their childhood friend Asima, are about to discover that while people can change the world, the world can also change people. They must follow separate paths – as courtesan, naval officer, and pirate – yet their destinies are forever intertwined. A world of unexpected alliances, dangerous jealousies and betrayals awaits them... Dark Empress is a heart-stopping journey by land and sea through a world of deception, scheming, and surprising valour. Reminiscent of C. S. Forester, Simon Scarrow, and Conn Iggulden, this is historical fantasy at its enthralling best.