A Dark Queen Rises
A Dark Queen Rises by Ashok Banker, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2021, is a 528-page epic fantasy that immerses readers in the intricate world of the Burnt Empire. The narrative follows Queen Aqreen of Aquila as she flees the clutches of her vengeful husband, Jarsun, across the perilous Red Desert. Accompanied by her daughter, Krushita, Aqreen embarks on a quest to protect the innocent and thwart tyrants, facing relentless dangers and demoniac forces along the way.
Readers will encounter a rich tapestry of characters and conflicts as Aqreen and Krushita navigate their treacherous journey toward the queendom of Reygar. The story unfolds with fierce battles and the emergence of Krushita’s growing powers, alongside allies like the four-armed Vanjhani and a band of desert militia. As various players, including the seer-mage Vessa and the assassin Ladislew, pursue their own agendas, the narrative builds toward a climactic confrontation in the sands of Reygar, where family ties and destinies collide.
Official synopsis Publisher
Returning to Ashok K. Banker’s brilliant epic fantasy world of the Burnt Empire, A Dark Queen Rises features Aqreen and Krushita, a mother and daughter on a quest to protect the innocent and bring down tyrants.
Queen Aqreen of Aquila leaves her husband Jarsun and flees across the Red Desert. She is determined to keep her daughter from being used by Jarsun to stake his claim to the Burning Throne of Hastinaga, seat of the all-powerful Burnt Empire. But Jarsun is vengeful and can summon legions of demoniac forces at will. The Red Desert is vast, and the journey dangerous.
Aqreen and Krushita’s caravan of ten thousand wagons will take several years to reach the only safe harbor, the queendom of Reygar. Jarsun’s pursuit is relentless and his vengeance terrible, but hope shines from the growing powers of little Krushita herself, along with the four-armed, twin-bodied Vanjhani wagon train leader and their band of valiant desert militia. Fierce battles are in store.
There are other players in this great game of demigods and mortals, each pursuing their own agendas. The powerful seer-mage Vessa seeks to join Krushita’s talents with that of Drishya, an avatar destined to confront and kill Tyrak, Jarsun’s diabolical son-in-law. Ladislew the assassin aligns with Tyrak for her own reasons. All paths culminate in a feverish finale on the hot sands of Reygar, as father, mother, and daughter confront each other in one ultimate showdown.
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