Now that she has saved the Acoma family name from extinction, Mara might have hoped that it was time to relax. But, her very success has generated new enemies, enemies who are determined to end her life and the Acoma name, no matter what steps they have to take. And, to make matter worse, the Emperor has begun meddling in the Game of the Council. If she is to protect her life, and the lives of those she loves, then she must play the Game of the Council with more skill than any can home.

I have been a big fan of Raymond Feist for many years now, and still remember when this book first came out. Unlike many of Mr. Feist's and Ms. Wurts' other books, magic does not play a large part in this story, only appearing somewhat late in the book. What this book is, is a fascinating story, set in a wonderfully different milieu, having intrigue and suspense at the very heart of it. So, if you are expecting powerful wizards, and dwarven armies, you will be disappointed.

However, if you interesting in a great work of fiction, one that will keep you on the edge of your seat, then this is the book for you. I loved this book - I have read it a number of times, and it still gets better. I can't recommend this book enough.

If you are a fan of the Riftwar saga by Feist, you must check out this series. Its written not on Midkemia, but of a story on Kelwan. See it all from a totally different viewpoint. You will not be able to put this book, or the series, until its all read.

A spot of culture shock.


Mara continues to solidify her power base and attack the family she wants revenge against. However, things change for her, and the book looks more deeply at the society on this planet when she gains a slave who is from Midkemia.

When he becomes a bedwarmer for her, she considers that she has bought into a lot of what she has been told from any early age.

This gives her a few ideas and helps with her rise to a Lady of political influence.

This is the second installment to the Empire series - a trilogy, of which Daughter Of The Empire was first. I highly recommend reading the first book, as it will make this second book easier to follow.

We follow the adventures of Mara, Ruling Lady of House Acoma, in the Tsurani Empire situated on the world of Kelewan. This fictional society was first introduced to us during the Riftwar Saga, written solely by Raymond E. Feist. It is a complex society which heavily relies on a code of honour and caste system, and has a distinctly Asian feel to it. Further, political action is invariably translated directly into loss or gain, life or death, for the parties involved. The goals aren't necessarily material, but in the garnering of honour, firstly for your House (or family), Clan or political party.

In the first book, Mara neutralized a powerful foe - House Anasati - by marrying one of their sons, whilst also defeating the Ruling Lord of the powerful House Minwanabi. After defeat, the Lord took his life to expiate the shame, and his son, Desio, assumed the mantle of Lord. This second book revolves around the plotting and scheming of Desio, and his brilliant (in all things military) cousin Taseo. Lady Mara also finds herself falling in love with a "barbarian" slave from the Kingdom Of The Isles - the nation which the Tsurani are invading by way of a magical gate called a Rift. To further complicate matters, the book also takes place around the time of the "barbarian" magician's outburst at the Imperial Games, which has shattering repercussions for the entire fabric of Tsurani society and political system. The book brings us right to the edge of a civil war, with Lady Mara striving to both defeat her enemy and helping to defuse of the volatile situation which threatens to plunge this mighty empire into bloody civil war.

Again, Feist and Wurts do an outstanding job. Feist created the world, and his strength lies in characterization, while Wurts excels at plot development, helping to lead the reader into dizzying webs of intrigue. Believe me, politics has never looked this good!

I highly recommend this book.

First up, I agree with everyone else who loves this book & series.

However, this book in particular echoes James Clavell's 'Shogun' to an amazing degree. Even many of the names are similar. I suppose it shouldn't be too surprising given how the world is set up, but it was a distraction while reading it, hence the 4.