A. J. Lake

Matriarchal society set up in a fabled Middle Eastern Kingdom after a religious coup leads to the death of a city ruler and the banishment of his harem. Led by a former assassin and one of the older wives of the deceased and aided by a seer the group become more than they ever thought possible.

A much under-used setting in Western literature is brought to life with a varied cast of characters. Told in a similar manner to the tales of Scheherazade with occasional diversions from the main tale with back-story interjections for the leading participants.… (mais)

Do you want to read an epic, action-packed and emotionally rich fantasy novel that centres around amazing women? Do you want to read about lady assassins, oracles, diplomats, soldiers, con-artists, dancers, bakers and librarians kicking ass? Do you like stories about women protecting each other, teaching each other, forming communities, and sometimes having sex and falling in love with each other? And would you like to see a fantasy setting that’s not pseudo medieval Europe but pseudo pre-Islam Middle East, and a cast of hundreds without a single white person in the bunch? Then do I ever have a book for you! This is the story of almost four hundred concubines and illegitimate children who were ordered to be killed when their sultan was overthrown, who found a way to not only survive, but thrive, and then take their city back. It’s awesome, and not nearly as well-known as it deserves to be.… (mais)