Falcon has a past she can’t remember-- one the rebellion doesn’t want her to forget.
Living in the slums of exile, 17-year-old Falcon and her family—a pack of street-rat kids—rely on cunning, blades, and the grace of corrupt lords to survive in the toxic sludge heaps. They are still paying for the crimes of their forefathers—a century old rebellion that ended in exile. Now the Wall that isolates them is about to come down, giving them a chance at humanity once again.
Amarathines, a race of humans believed to be descended from the gods, are killed and harvested for the ancient magic that runs through their veins—magic that has the power to preserve life. The Sovereign of the empire breeds amaranthines solely to harvest them, using their blood to escape death yet another decade. Once the savior of the empire, he has become more god than man, and is spiraling out of control.
The long-running racial tension between humans and amaranthines erupts into violence, and half-amaranthine herself, Falcon becomes a target. The pack must learn to fight an enemy that can’t bleed: an empire overcome with hatred and greed, blindly descending into the chaos it came from. But as the pack fights their own war, the rebel Order has plans to ignite another—to reawaken the century-old rebellion and start a second Great War among all four empires. They will do anything to shape Falcon into the empress they need—an empress that will unite the races and bring peace back to Aurata.
None of this will matter if the Sovereign has his way, and the rebellion is crushed for good, before it can truly begin. The entirety of the Dregs will be enslaved to fuel his hunger for technology, power, and immortality—costing Falcon both her pack and her life.
EMBER is a YA science fantasy novel of 73,000 words that is the first in a planned duology. Told in four distinct points of view—including Falcon (who has yet to discover her true power), Crow (an ex-drug lord’s assassin seeking redemption), Electra (an undercover rebel agent and empire royalty), and the Sovereign of the empire himself—each perspective gives insight into the raw insides of their world, the dynamics of a patchwork family, and how Falcon plays a role in all of their lives, whether she knows it or not.
I think you have a winner winner chicken dinner here. Very very clear. Your world is explained and the stakes are powerful. The four POVs are laid out. Great turn around.
ReplyDeleteOne small thing that troubled me - you mention in paragraph 3 that the Amarathines are bred for their blood, but in paragraph 4 you say they are an enemy that can't breed. Or is The Sovereign the enemy you speak of? If so, the previous sentence makes that unclear. I think that's the only thing about this whole query that threw me off.
Congratulations! Now go query! (And come back and let us know if you get any bites.)
*can't bleed - not breed. I hate this tiny editing window. I make so many dumb mistakes.
ReplyDeleteWow! You've written it very concisely and did a great job with the world building. The only part I was confused about was with "Amarathines, a race of humans believed to be descended from the gods, are killed and harvested..." and then it goes into "Sovereign of the empire breeds..."
ReplyDeleteIt sounded like Sovereign is the Amarathines' ruler? It also sounded like the Amarathines are in a deep sleep, being "harvested and killed." If they aren't, and they are actively fighting the Sovereign, then perhaps it should go something like "The Sovereign has ordered the death of any Amarathines captured, to harvest the ancient magic..." Just a thought.