Publishers Weekly
07/27/2020
The elaborate second fantasy in Steiger’s Paths of Lantistyne trilogy picks up where 2017’s The Empire’s Ghost left off, with the comrades from the Dragon’s Head Tavern scattered and still reeling from their previous mission as Imperator Elgar’s forces continue their remorseless conquest of the continent in the hopes of recreating the ancient empire of Elesthene. Arianrod Margraine, the marquise of Esthrades and a powerful mage, is one of just two leaders left standing against Elgar. Eager for allies, Arianrod offers aide to Adora Avestri, the rightful queen of Issamira, who may hold the key to defeating Elgar at last. Though together they make small gains in the fight against the empire, no victory comes without cost, and when Elgar’s gambit is finally revealed, it appears that for all they have achieved, the real battle still lies ahead of them. Steiger maneuvers an outsize cast with aplomb, providing enough detail to keep readers engaged, despite a good deal of unwieldy dialogue. Fans who miss the political intrigue of Game of Thrones or the complex worldbuilding of Mercedes Lackey will find plenty here to hold them over. Agent: Thomas Flannery Jr., AGI Vigliano Literary. (July)
From the Publisher
"Fans who miss the political intrigue of Game of Thrones or the complex worldbuilding of Mercedes Lackey will find plenty here to hold them over." —Publishers Weekly
"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."—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
