Paula Volsky crafts fantasy narratives deeply inspired by historical events, weaving intricate plots within a singular, expansive fictional universe. Her work is characterized by meticulous world-building and immersive fantasy storytelling. Volsky focuses on creating rich, engaging realms for her readers to explore.
An around-the-world race called The Grand Ellipse has profound implications for its participants, especially for Luzelle Devaire, a young woman fleeing her father's autocratic household, since the prize entails not only land and titles, but also the ear of the king, a monarch who possesses a powerful weapon that could hold the key to defeating a greedy Imperium. Reprint.
Of all the excesses indulged in by the decadent Rhazaullean nobility, only one is absolutely forbidden—necromancy. It is to these addictive arts that Prince Varis has secretly resorted, hoping to usurp the Wolf Throne through a serpentine choreography of murder and to forge a shining empire. But his greatest challenge comes in the person of his beautiful niece Shalindra, grown to womanhood in the shadow of exile and dedicated to the cause of bringing her brother Cerrov—the rightful heir—to the throne. Seized and brought to her uncle’s mountain stronghold, Shalindra is both repelled and fascinated by Varis, dark master of the dead, ruler of lost souls. As winter looms ahead, their encounter threatens to shape for both of them a destiny far different—and far more dangerous—than either could ever have imagined.
The Exalted classes have ruled over Vonahr and have ignored the needs of the lower classes and only realizes that this is a mistake when the red tide of the revolution sweeps aside all distinctions of rank, home, and family.