In the divided empire of the Wardens, social status is determined by the color of one’s blood. The ruling class possesses gold blood, while the enslaved laborers bleed red. Sylah, a red-blooded rebel trained as a child assassin, lives as a drug-addicted fighter after her revolutionary cell was destroyed. Her path intersects with Anoor, a gold-blooded noble hidden from the world, and Hassa, a transparent-blooded servant. Together, they navigate the Aktikan trials, a brutal ritual intended to select the next empire leaders, while uncovering the falsified history that sustains the current caste system.
Readers of epic fantasy who enjoy complex world-building based on African and Arabian mythology will find a detailed exploration of systemic inequality and propaganda. This book serves those interested in stories where characters must unlearn their internal biases to dismantle a corrupt government. It offers a clear look at how historical records are manipulated to keep specific groups in power. By the end, the reader understands the tactical necessity of cross-class alliances in overthrowing an entrenched military regime.
- Published
- 2022
- Language
- EN
