Between dragons and their wrath

Madson (the Reborn Empire series) launches a new series with this tense and intricate political fantasy. When sharp-tongued Tesha's home country of Learshapa is forcibly annexed by the Emoran empire, Tesha agrees to serve as an "insult bride," a commoner passed off as noble in a political marriage in hopes that the eventual exposure of the truth will force a renegotiation of the terms of the annexation. But as she gets caught up in spycraft, her plan evolves to include poisoning the emperor. Meanwhile, in the capital, perceptive laundress Naili Billette's alarming new ability to grow plants by touch pushes her to confront the alchemist whose laundry has affected all of her fellow servants. And on the outskirts of civilization, haughty Lord Ashadi Romm trains to become a dragon rider. After he is shot down by a bullet that penetrates supposedly bullet-proof dragon scales, his persistent questioning of the senior dragon riders leads them to fire his assistant and would-be lover, Manalaii, and banish Ashadi. This first installment serves mainly to lay the groundwork--the three protagonists' paths don't cross until the very end--but each individual's complicated maneuvering still excites. Replete with backstabbing, secrets, and political intrigue, this is a promising start. Agent: Julie Crisp, Julie Crisp Literary. (Aug.)

The city-states of the old kingdom have governed themselves for a long time, but with the imminent threat of war, many are drawing together under one leader, whether the residents want it or not. As political machinations threaten old ways, three people find that their paths are twisted together. Tesha's city is conquered and drawn into the fold, but her position as a tribute bride could be a means to destroy the enemies from within. Naili toils as a laundress for an alchemist whose work and identity are shrouded in secrecy, until Naili finds she has acquired strange powers that lead her into the heart of insurrection. In the bordering mountains, dragon riders protect the lands from the creatures that roam the surrounding deserts. After Ash finds that his dragon has become vulnerable to new weapons by the hunters, he will learn that his questions put him on the wrong side of those he was supposed to protect. VERDICT Madson's (We Dream of Gods) skillful prose weaves a story of political intrigue, personal connections, and dragons. Readers will want to know where the protagonists' destinies lead them after this first in a projected trilogy.--Kristi Chadwick