The Ikessar Falcon

The jam-packed second fantasy in Villoso’s Chronicles of the Bitch Queen series (after The Wolf of Oren-Yaro) finds Tali, Queen Talyien of Jin-Sayeng, fighting against schemes, soldiers, and sorcerers to return home to her son, Thanh. Tali’s betrothed, Prince Rayyel, vows to kill Thahn if it turns out the boy is not his son—a distinct possibility as Tali turned to an old flame after learning of Rayyel’s own infidelity. Tali is stranded across the sea in the Empire of Ziri-nar-Orxiaro with no way of protecting Thahn. After being captured by political adversaries and thrown into a dungeon, Tali escapes with the help of Lahei, one of a mysterious group called the Shadows who once fought alongside Rayyel’s clan, the Ikessars, but now serve their own purposes. She flees the empire with con man and love interest Khine Lamang, but must weigh whether to accept Lahei’s offer of further help, not wanting to owe the Shadows any favors. Before she can decide, an old enemy that Tali left for dead attacks. Villoso crafts believable, complex characters and spices up the politics with dragons and magic. Fantasy readers will enjoy this intricate epic and be pleased by the broadening scope of the series. Agent: Hannah Bowman, Liza Dawson Assoc. (Sept.)