Born of Empire — Simon Brown

"Simon Brown likes his fantasy fast, clever and unpredictable. Born of Empire is all of these and more, an excellent recommendation." Bookseller & Publisher

The Kevleren dynasty rules both the Hamilayan empire and the kingdom of Rivald because they, and only they, can use the Sefid, the true source of all magic. But Wielding the Sefid comes at a terrible cost, the sacrifice of something loved.

Hamilay's new empress, Lerena, no sooner ascends the throne than she is faced by the joint crises of an expansionist Rivald overseas and an unstable, love-spurned sister at home â€" whose influence with the Sefid is greater than any who have come before. Then a revolution in Rivald creates the greatest threat her family has ever faced, and the Kevlerens confront extinction at the hands of those they trusted most.

"A first-class trilogy. The Chronicles of Kydan has all the traditional fantasy ingredients expertly mixed with new ideas." â€" Garth Nix, author of The Abhorsen Trilogy