The Raven Scholar

A richly imagined epic fantasy full of danger, ambition, secrets and blood soaked politics. Emperor Bersun the Brusque has ruled Orrun for twenty four years, but his time on the throne is ending. In the fierce heat of midsummer, seven contenders are called forward to battle for the right to succeed him. Each has been shaped by a rival monastery and guided by the spirit of a sacred animal: Fox, Raven, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey and Hound. They are warriors, scholars, tacticians and survivors, chosen from the finest minds and fiercest fighters in the empire. But one place remains hidden until the trials begin, the mysterious Dragon proxy. Then the contest turns deadly. When one of the contenders is found murdered, the strange and brilliant Neema Kraa is drawn into the heart of the investigation. What begins as a search for a killer soon reveals something far more dangerous, with old loyalties, buried truths and ruthless ambition threatening to tear Orrun apart. Neema may uncover the truth. She may even find herself closer to the throne than she ever wanted to be. But failure will cost her life, and could bring the whole empire crashing down with her.