Book description
Ruling from the island of Acacia, the emperor of the Known World has
inherited an apparent peace and prosperity won by his ancestors
generations ago. He's an intelligent man, a widower who dotes on his
four children and it is this devotion that obliges him to hide a
terrible secret from them: that their prosperity rests on the dark
realities of trafficking in drugs and human lives. A man of integrity,
he hopes that he might bring an end to this vile trade, but powerful
forces stand in his way. And then an assassin strikes, a lone killer
sent by the Mein, an ancient foe long ago exiled to the frozen north.
Now the Mein have returned to take revenge on their old enemy and begin
a series of brutal surprise assaults on Acacia. Mortally wounded, the
emperor puts into play a plan that will allow his children to escape, to
fulfil their destinies. And so begins a quest to avenge a father's death
and restore an empire - this time on the basis of universal freedom...
David Anthony Durham was born in New York City. He is the award-winning
author of three acclaimed novels,
Gabriel's Story, Walk Through Darkness
and Hannibal: Pride of Carthage
. He lived in Scotland for several years but now lives with his family
in California, where he teaches at Cal State University.
