The Burnt Empire

Two princes, Shvate and Adri, are born in Hastinaga, capital of the vast Krushan empire - one blind, the other albino. Though one cannot see and the other cannot face sunlight, the Dowager Empress Jilana and Prince Regent Vrath assure their people and allies that all will be well. Any rumblings of dissent are summarily quashed; none dare challenge the might of the Burnt empire. But when Jarsun of Reygistan's daughter is spurned by the ruling family despite her legitimate claim to the throne, Jarsun - a powerful demonlord - embarks upon a relentless campaign to destroy the Burnt empire.

Returning to Ashok K. Banker's brilliant #OwnVoices, epic fantasy world of the Burnt Empire, first introduced in Upon a Burning Throne, A Dark Queen Rises features Krushita and Karni, two women on quests to protect the innocent and bring down tyrants.

The Demonlord Jarsun is poised to claim the Burning Throne and cement his rule over the Burnt Empire. Standing in his way is his daughter, now reincarnated into a new avatar named Krushni, who is determined to avenge her mother’s death by his hand—and put an end to her father’s reign of terror once and for all. Aligned with him is the vast army of the Empire, the One Hundred children of Emperor Adri, and their former guru, the legendary warrior Dronas.