It begins with a murder. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, eight contenders gather to compete for the emperor''s throne. Then one of them is murdered. It falls to the Raven contender, the brilliant but idiosyncratic Neema Kraa, to investigate. If she can solve the crime, she may gain the throne. If she fails, she will sentence herself to death. Neema has just seven days to find the culprit, for if the Emperor does not relinquish power by the end of the eighth day, it will invite civil war. And everyone knows that war could lead to the return of the True Eight: terrifying, godlike manifestations of the Empire''s eight guardian animals. No one really believes in this magical metaphor, though it lies at the heart of Orrun law. It couldn''t really happen. Could it?

Vorwort
The first book in a masterfully woven epic adult fantasy trilogy, from an award-winning author, perfect for fans of Robin Hobb, Samanthan Shannon and Hannah Kaner.

Autorentext

Novelist, screenwriter, adapter and former publisher Antonia Hodgson has written four acclaimed historical novels. Her first novel, The Devil in the Marshalsea, won the CWA Historical Dagger 2014 and was shortlisted for the Theakston's Crime Novel of the Year, the John Creasey Dagger for Best First Novel and the HWA Debut Crown. It was also a Richard & Judy and Waterstones Book Club selection. However, fantasy has always been her first love. Antonia was born and grew up in Derby and studied English at the University of Leeds. She lives in London.

Klappentext

She might win the throne. She might destroy an empire. Either way, it begins with murder.

After twenty-four years on the throne, it is time for Bersun the Brusque, emperor of Orrun, to bring his reign to an end. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders will compete to replace him.

Trained at rival monasteries, each contender is inspired by a sacred animal - Fox, Raven, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey, and Hound. An eighth - the Dragon proxy - will be revealed only once the trials have begun. Eight exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists - the best of the best.

Then one of them is murdered.

It falls to the brilliant but idiosyncratic Neema Kraa to investigate. But as she hunts for a killer, darker forces are gathering.

If Neema succeeds, she could win the throne - whether she wants it or not. But if she fails, she will sentence herself to death - and set in motion a sequence of events that could doom the empire . . .