The author shared a copy of this book with me for review (thank you). It has been published now.
The Vapros, the Taurlum, and the Celerius are three different families of power in the walled city. They are each scheming about how to make their wealth more extensive and how to get to even for any wrong doing another family might have done against them.
Neil is sneaking in on the Taurlum's with the intent to kill the grandfather of the clan to make a statement about not messing with his Vapros family. He doesn't succeed and even has to be saved by a street girl he's friends with. His friendship with a commoner is frowned on but she saves his life. This is the beginning of a fast paced story with lots of action and drama.
I'm very impressed with this young man's writing. It's smooth, flows well, and he's a great story teller. This is fantasy but it reads as if it's true. Their supernatural powers are amazing but when everyone has some, it's not such a big deal.
The families are there to serve the people and the emperor but not all do. And when the emperor's guard starts to gather the family members they suddenly realize he's not their friend but their enemy.
The only apparent safe place for the children that got away is outside the walls of the city. But no one knows what's out there. All they've heard is rumors. Facing rumors is better than facing death, though.
There are some tough losses in this first book and I imagine the others will be just as bloody. I can see a mystery forming, though. There may be a lost family outside the walls. I'm not sure if they will be friendly or an enemy, but it makes me want to read more.
Can the feuding family members get along well enough to stay alive? Only time will tell.
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