The crown was never supposed to be his. Now enemies threaten to take it''and everything he loves.
King Anson the First thought the hard part was over. After reluctantly accepting the restored throne of Caledon and surviving an assassination attempt, he's working to build a functional government alongside Prime Minister Karen Pavletic. But in the treacherous landscape of interstellar politics, peace is an illusion.
When Caledonian merchant ships begin disappearing in the Tetrarch sector, Anson must send his fledgling navy into harm's way. Before the crisis can resolve, disaster strikes closer to home: a devastating bombing at Blenheim Palace, followed by the unthinkable—the kidnapping of his pregnant wife, Queen Stephanie.
As Anson races against time to rescue Stephanie and their newborn child, he discovers a conspiracy reaching far beyond Caledon's borders. With the Centauran Empire fracturing and the shadowy Cryotech corporation pulling strings from across the stars, the young king must make impossible choices. How far will he go to protect his family and kingdom? And what happens when the rule of law conflicts with the demands of justice?
Aided by his enigmatic Hedge Dog advisors and a security team pushed to its limits, Anson faces his greatest test yet. Because in the deadly game of interstellar politics, the price of failure isn't just a crown—it's measured in the lives of everyone he holds dear.
A gripping blend of political intrigue and military science fiction, perfect for fans of David Weber and Lois McMaster Bujold.
Genre: Science Fiction
King Anson the First thought the hard part was over. After reluctantly accepting the restored throne of Caledon and surviving an assassination attempt, he's working to build a functional government alongside Prime Minister Karen Pavletic. But in the treacherous landscape of interstellar politics, peace is an illusion.
When Caledonian merchant ships begin disappearing in the Tetrarch sector, Anson must send his fledgling navy into harm's way. Before the crisis can resolve, disaster strikes closer to home: a devastating bombing at Blenheim Palace, followed by the unthinkable—the kidnapping of his pregnant wife, Queen Stephanie.
As Anson races against time to rescue Stephanie and their newborn child, he discovers a conspiracy reaching far beyond Caledon's borders. With the Centauran Empire fracturing and the shadowy Cryotech corporation pulling strings from across the stars, the young king must make impossible choices. How far will he go to protect his family and kingdom? And what happens when the rule of law conflicts with the demands of justice?
Aided by his enigmatic Hedge Dog advisors and a security team pushed to its limits, Anson faces his greatest test yet. Because in the deadly game of interstellar politics, the price of failure isn't just a crown—it's measured in the lives of everyone he holds dear.
A gripping blend of political intrigue and military science fiction, perfect for fans of David Weber and Lois McMaster Bujold.
Genre: Science Fiction