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Synopsis
Judith Tarr returns to her created world of mages in this fourth volume of her Avaryan Rising series. The Sunborn's heirs have ruled the two empires for four generations, but the latest heir to the thrones of Endros and Asanion does not sit easily. Estarion saw his father die in the golden palace of Asanion, victim of mage-wrought poison and the enduring hatred of a conquered race. On the very day of his enthronement, after long years of regency, Estarion is forced to agree to return to Asanion - and he vows that even if he must rule that accursed land, he will never love it. With the new Golden Emperor travels his beloved, Vanyi, the mage-born priestess who can never be Empress. She was born a common fisherman's daughter, but gifted with great power - more, perhaps, than the Emperor himself wields. And waiting for them In the Golden Palace of Asanion is plot and intrigue, conspirators who would kill the son as they killed the father. They would place their own creature on the throne of empires, and their own God in the seat of the Sunlord.
Is Arrows of the Sun appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
Parents should know this adult historical fantasy contains political assassination (poison), themes of conquest and colonialism, and a romance between an emperor and a woman who cannot be empress due to class barriers. Violence includes assassination plots and references to the protagonist's father being murdered.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, mild sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include death of parent, assassination, and political violence (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens will be drawn to the forbidden romance between an emperor haunted by his father's death and the powerful mage priestess he loves but cannot marry.