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.
