I started this book about a week ago but got behind at work and didn’t get to finish it. Then over the last 2 days I read and read and read and could barely put it down. I was really pulled into this world and I love it.
Behind the Throne is a story about a gun runner, Hail, who ran away from her life in court as 2nd heir to the throne in order to hunt down the people who killed her father. But she didn’t want to go back, preferred the freedom and danger of her new life. But then she gets kidnapped back into the politics of the court and is groomed to be the next empress. The world is set in a far future society and the culture of the world is derived from India. It allowed for some beautiful descriptions of clothing, some depth to the characters in terms of their relationship to the gods, and while it would probably make more sense if I knew more about Indian culture, I didn’t find myself lost in the language or descriptions.
A lot of the book is political machinations behind the scenes as Hail’s mother loses control of her mind and there is a threat to the family that no one can seem to figure out. Hail’s sisters have been killed, and it is unclear if it is an external or internal threat.
I was surprised at how much I liked this book. The action scenes kept me on the edge of my seat, and the world seems very developed. The trackers who find her who pair for life in a ceremony are an interesting twist. They are “promoted” to be her bodyguards, and the bonded relationship between Emmory and Zin is fascinating and mysterious. Even the courtly scenes I found myself enjoying… probably mostly because the whole book is written in first person, and we get to see the court through Hail’s eyes… and she is not a fan.
There are two more books in this series, and then another series that follows, and I am definitely adding these to my TBR pile. I thoroughly enjoyed this action packed and thoughtful introduction to this beautifully textured world.