City of Spires — Claudie Arseneault

Isandor, the City of Spires.Bickering merchant families vie for power through eccentric shows of wealth, their tower homes and magical gardens a stand-in for the gold in their vaults. For decades, trade wars have been internal affairs, but the faraway Myrian Empire has established a new enclave nearby, throwing local politics out of balance.The idealistic Lord Dathirii cannot abide by their morals. He triggers a trading war with them, objecting to their slavery, their magics, and inhumane treatment of their apprentices-one he might win, if only he could convince Isandor's rulers to stop courting Myrian favour for profit.Sooner or later, the ripples of his war will affect everyone in Isandor-from his own extended family to three friends, living in a homeless shelter at the bottom of the city, desperate to save one of theirs now accused of Isandor's most infamous assassination. Their stories are linked as inextricably as the sprawling bridges and towers they inhabit.City of Spires is a fantasy series about local politics and platonic relationships told in a mosaic style, with a large queer cast. This collection contains all four books: City of Strife, City of Betrayal, City of Deceit, and City of Exile.