The Poison Prince

by S. C. Emmett

Overview

"A masterful tale of court intrigues." ―Booklist (starred review)

A woman's desire for revenge draws her deeper into a treacherous imperial court in this sweeping and richly detailed second book of an East Asian-inspired epic fantasy series. 

The crown princess has been assassinated, reigniting tensions between her native Khir and the great Zhaon empire. Now, Komor Yala, her lady-in-waiting, is alone in a foreign court, a pawn for imperial schemes.

To survive and avenge her princess, Yala will have to rely on unlikely allies like the sly Third Prince and the war-hardened general who sacked her homeland. But as the Emperor lies upon his deathbed, the palace is more dangerous than ever before―for there are six princes and only one throne.

The drums of war beat again in this epic tale of ambition, honor, and sacrifice, perfect for fans of The Tiger's Daughter and The Grace of Kings. 

Praise for the Hostage of Empire:

"Intricate, elegant and sharp as a blade―The Throne of the Five Winds is sweeping political fantasy at its finest." ―Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne

"Emmett’s worldbuilding is sophisticated and captivating." ―Publishers Weekly 

Hostage of Empire
The Throne of the Five Winds
The Poison Prince
The Bloody Throne
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316453417
Publisher:	Orbit
Publication date:	11/24/2020
Series:	Hostage of Empire , #2
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	470,529
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

S. C. Emmett is a pseudonym for a New York Times bestselling author.

Editorial Reviews

09/28/2020

The intricate, slow-moving second fantasy in Emmett’s Asian-influenced Hostage of Empire series (following The Throne of the Five Winds) opens shortly after the murder of Crown Princess Mahara in Zhaon, leaving Komor Yala, Mahara’s lady-in-waiting, stranded in the foreign kingdom. Grieving and duty-bound, Yala is determined to discover the culprit, even if it means entangling herself in perilous court politics and allying with Zhaon’s conniving royals. Yala enlists honorable Gen. Zakkar Kai and unpredictable Third Prince Takshin to assist her in the investigation—and both men fall deeply in love with her and seek her hand in marriage. Meanwhile, the ailing Emperor’s condition grows suspiciously worse, and sly Second Prince Kurin schemes for the throne. As the battle for power corrupts the royal family and Yala continues her unyielding quest, the plot is weighed down by an overabundance of detail and a large ensemble of complex characters. Still, Emmett’s worldbuilding is sophisticated and captivating, hinting at a larger culture even as the novel remains narrowly focused on the petty intrigues of the court. New readers may have trouble catching up, but returning fans will find plenty to enjoy. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

"Intricate, elegant and sharp as a blade — The Throne of the Five Winds is sweeping political fantasy at its finest."—Tasha Suri, author of Empire of Sand on Throne of the Five Winds

"With a deliberate pace and fine attention to details of dress and custom, Emmett weaves a masterful tale of court intrigues."—Booklist (starred review) on Throne of the Five Winds

"Brimful of thrilling palace drama and menacing court intrigue."—Kate Elliott, author of Black Wolves on Throne of the Five Winds

"Action and intrigue takes place within a layered and beautifully realized fantasy world that will appeal to readers of Evan Winter's The Rage of Dragons and K. Arsenault Rivera's The Tiger's Daughter."—B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog on Throne of the Five Winds

From the Publisher