The second book in The Sun Chronicles trilogy, a galactic-scale, gender-swapped space opera series inspired by the life of Alexander the Great.Shrewd, brutal, relentless and patient, Queen-Marshal Eirene has led the Republic of Chaonia from the brink of annihilation to the edge of victory. One by one, her enemies have fallen in defeat, and now she is ready to push her battle-hardened fleets into territories long controlled by the mighty Phene Empire.But her victories are not without cost. The Republic has endured decades of conflict, with factions simmering beneath the surface, waiting for their chance to boil.The Phene know this.While they might not be able to defeat the Queen-Marshal in open battle, there are other ways to strike back.And on the eve of Eirene's attack on the rich and populous Karnos System, they will.In the aftermath, Eirene's daughter, Princess Sun, will face her greatest challenge yet. Can she escape her mother's shadow and forge her own legend, despite all that's arrayed against her?Reviews for the Sun Chronicles: 'Epic starship battles, court intrigue and Machiavellian betrayals' Guardian 'Enthralling, edge-of-your-seat stuff hurtling along at warp speed' Kirkus 'Not only is this action-packed with fascinating women characters, there is very inventive world-building and twisty turny political scheming' Book Riot 'Non-stop action! Space battles! Intrigue! This is the kind of space opera that I love best - but Elliott does it even better' Ann Leckie 'Breathtaking and mindblowingly good' Aliette de Bodard