The Empire's Ghost: A Novel

by Isabelle Steiger

Overview

Isabelle Steiger has crafted a powerful and masterful debut with The Empire's Ghost, the first book in a haunting new epic fantasy series.

The empire of Elesthene once spanned a continent, but its rise heralded the death of magic. It tore itself apart from within, leaving behind a patchwork of kingdoms struggling to rebuild.

But when a new dictator, the ambitious and enigmatic Imperator Elgar, seizes power in the old capital and seeks to recreate the lost empire anew, the other kingdoms have little hope of stopping him. Prince Kelken of Reglay finds himself at odds with his father at his country’s darkest hour; the marquise of Esthrades is unmatched in politics and strategy, but she sits at a staggering military disadvantage. And Issamira, the most powerful of the free countries, has shut itself off from the conflict, thrown into confusion by the disappearance of its crown prince and the ensuing struggle for succession.

Everything seems aligned in Elgar’s favor, but when he presses a band of insignificant but skilled alley-dwellers into his service for a mission of greatest secrecy, they find an unexpected opportunity to alter the balance of power in the war. Through their actions and those of the remaining royals, they may uncover not just a way to defeat Elgar, but also a deeper truth about their world’s lost history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250088482
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	05/16/2017
Series:	Paths of Lantistyne , #1
Pages:	432
Sales rank:	716,965
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 8.70(h) x 1.50(d)

About the Author

ISABELLE STEIGER was born in the city and grew up in the woods. She received her first notebook when she was eight, and she’s been filling them up ever since. She lives in New York, though her erstwhile companion, a very moody gray cat, has since retired and moved to Florida. The Empire’s Ghost is her first novel.

Editorial Reviews

03/27/2017
Steiger’s enjoyable epic fantasy debut weaves in and out of the lives of people on all sides of the struggle to determine the destiny of a continent. A tavern kitchen boy and his friends accidentally get tangled in the affairs of Emperor Elgar, who’s trying to decide whether to turn his conquering ambitions on the kingdom of Reglay or the country of Esthrades. The boy king of Reglay seeks allies, and the marquise of Esthrades seeks power in more arcane ways, which leads her principal servant, Seren Almasy, into a chance encounter with the hapless protagonist. Steiger handles a complex plot and a multitude of viewpoints neatly and well. Revelations about the world and the characters are placed at suspenseful intervals, and the story raises many interesting questions that remain unanswered. Unfortunately, this series launch has no conclusion of its own but simply stops, and most of it is spent setting up events and revelations that readers will have no opportunity to experience until the next book is published. Steiger’s talent does make this less frustrating overall than it otherwise might be, but the lack of emotional payoff in this installment is very noticeable. Agent: Thomas Flannery Jr., AGI Vigliano. (May)

Publishers Weekly

"In The Empire's Ghost, Isabelle Steiger has created a tapestry of compelling characters in a world that feels steeped in its own history. It's the kind of book that you sink into, that envelops you and compels you to read more. I can't wait for the sequel!"—Sarah Beth Durst, author of The Queen of Blood

"Steiger’s enjoyable epic fantasy debut weaves in and out of the lives of people on all sides of the struggle to determine the destiny of a continent.... Steiger handles a complex plot and a multitude of viewpoints neatly and well. Revelations about the world and the characters are placed at suspenseful intervals, and the story raises many interesting questions..." —Publishers Weekly

"Each character feels unique and compelling to the reader, with enough humorous banter to keep the darkness at bay.... The female characters are fully realized, flaws and all, as they hold their own in a struggle for domination, and the royal families are at odds with each other but united in their quest for understanding their magical history. The pace is brisk, and Steiger drops in hints and clues along the way to keep the reader tantalized with wondering how all the plots and traps will play out. A well-crafted tale that is ripe for a sequel." —Booklist

"I like the way Steiger sets up her group and then splits it leaving each something important to do for the plot. Her reluctant heroes are probably the strongest characters. She weaves real limitations into her characters. There is no perfect hero/heroine, there are flaws and individual foibles. These attributes make the characters relatable to readers.... A solid debut for Steiger." —SFRevu

"In The Empire's Ghost, Steiger has succeeded in crafting a fantasy novel at once familiar and refreshing in its refusal to adhere to any one trope of the genre. Female characters are more than mere pawns to be married to other nations; friendships and loyalties lie in a grey area, open to contextual interpretation; politics are at once a driving force of the plot yet far removed from the day-to-day life of citizens. Most impressively, Steiger succeeds in managing a multitude of characters and complexities in a way that, though overwhelming at times, is never sloppy or confusing.... A debut fantasy novel features powerful female characters, detailed worldbuilding and a complex narrative that will leave fans hungry for more." —Shelf Awareness

"If you’re looking for a slow building, but incredibly intricate world, this book is the one for you." —Books, Cats, and Coffee Blog

"The more I think about this book, the more I love it... The best part of this book, in my opinion, is the sheer depth of history of the world and the character backgrounds that are presented. The attention to detail made this book so real and I could not draw myself away from it. Steiger has also proven herself to be incredibly deft at carefully writing in twists and elements that impressed me immensely." —Forever Lost in Literature Blog

"The Empire's Ghost is epic on so many levels.... The story can be dark at times, but this is not a brutal and gritty story. It is epic with ups and downs, and definitely death and blood.... Without a doubt, I plan to read the next one. I need to find out what happens next." —Tenacious Reader Blog

From the Publisher

This debut novel creates a world in transition, and narrator Jeremy Arthur finds a unique voice for each of its many characters. Elgar is dedicated to becoming an emperor by methodically conquering neighboring kingdoms. Arthur deftly captures his imperiousness and drive. In contrast, the young boy-king Kelkin, knowing his kingdom is next in line to be overrun, sounds appropriately earnest and unsure. Arthur presents the cadre of commoners with similar attention to their personalities and social positions. He has an easy, conversational tone in dialogue, which is relied upon heavily for development of the multiple plots. The pace is strong and unwavering, and Arthur does a good job of keeping the interweaving plots distinct. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

AUGUST 2017 - AudioFile

This debut novel creates a world in transition, and narrator Jeremy Arthur finds a unique voice for each of its many characters. Elgar is dedicated to becoming an emperor by methodically conquering neighboring kingdoms. Arthur deftly captures his imperiousness and drive. In contrast, the young boy-king Kelkin, knowing his kingdom is next in line to be overrun, sounds appropriately earnest and unsure. Arthur presents the cadre of commoners with similar attention to their personalities and social positions. He has an easy, conversational tone in dialogue, which is relied upon heavily for development of the multiple plots. The pace is strong and unwavering, and Arthur does a good job of keeping the interweaving plots distinct. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

AUGUST 2017 - AudioFile