Ruling from the idyllic island of Acacia, the emperor of the Known World has inherited generations of apparent peace and prosperity established ages ago by his ancestors. 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 they 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 his or her own destiny. And so begins a quest to avenge a father's death and restore an empire - this time on the basis of universal freedom...
Author Biography
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.
