We Cry for Blood

Madson’s riveting third Reborn Empire fantasy (after We Lie with Death) finds new empress Miko Ts’ai struggling to gain the respect of her generals and unite the Kisian Empire under her leadership. She organizes her army to take Kiyoshio castle, a mission that sends Kisia into a battle for which it is unprepared, forcing Miko into the controversial move of allying with the Levanti tribe. Meanwhile, the Levanti are just as divided as the Kisians. The cunning Leo Villius has transformed ruler Gideon e’Torin into his puppet and names Dishiva e’Jaroven the Defender of the One True God, hoping to seed distrust and isolate her from her followers. But Dishiva seizes this position to get to Gideon and bring the Levanti out from under Leo’s control. Horse whisperer Ezma e’Topi also vies for control of the tribe as exile Rah e’Torin works to understand Ezma’s true intentions. And while larger battles rage, Leo hunts and captures Chiltean assassin Cassandra Marius and former Kisian empress Hana. Hana is dying and her options are dwindling, so she and Cassandra scramble for a plan to stop Leo once and for all. Madson continues to drive the complex story forward with a focus on her nuanced, interconnected characters. This is sure to delight series fans. [em]Agent: Julie Crisp, Julie Crisp Literary. (Aug.) [/em]