Rise of the Queen — V.J.O. Gardner

Rise of the Queen is the 4th book in the Tales of Asculum series, but a stand alone story. It occurs in the same world with Blood of Ancient Kings, Dracona's Rebirth and Rise of the Queen.In a nation where women are slaves, one woman seeks the courage to change that. Without change, all that women can hope for is more food, fewer beatings and death. Li knows that women can be equal, but who can she tell that would even believe her?When a man asks her for a drink at the well, she recognizes the king by the patterns on his boots. She dares not speak, but he is the one man who could change the way women are treated. Would he understand and believe the words of a woman if she did dare speak?When the king chooses her as his wife, Li knows she must first prove to him she can do more than cook, clean, and bear children. The women need a leader as much as the men need their king.