September 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.
October 1, 2020
After the horrendous death of Crown Princess Mahara of the Empire of Zhaon, the crown prince is on the brink of letting go of his claim to the Throne of the Five Winds, and the emperor is dying. Komor Yala, searching for her lady's assassin, has far too many suspects among the princes, queens, and consorts in the court, never mind the possibility that her own people in Khir could be responsible. The love triangle of Yala and General Zakkar Kai and Fourth Prince Takshin gets more complicated with the addition of Khir noble Ashani Daoyan. First Princess Sabwone reluctantly arrives in Shan to be married to the king as arranged. Meanwhile, the Pale Horde of Tabrak embarks on a war that will soon arrive at the worst possible time for all. Emmett enchants the reader in the second Hostage of Empire novel (after The Throne of the Five Winds, 2019) with details that bring the place and characters to life and the enticing intricacies of court intrigues that build to another shattering climax.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)