The Prince Without Sorrow

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Drawing inspiration from the Mauryan Empire of Ancient India, debut author Maithree Wijesekara immerses readers in a fantasy world filled with hunted witches, romantic tension, and political intrigue. The story follows Prince Ashoka, the youngest son of the tyrannical Emperor Adil Maurya, who is considered an outcast for opposing his father's brutal campaign against witches. Longing for change, Ashoka faces a chaotic monarchy after his father's sudden death and is sent to govern a troubled region plagued by nature spirits—a task many believe is destined to fail. As he navigates suspicion from a disdainful governor and evades distrustful witches, Ashoka must confront his rigid beliefs and resist becoming the very tyrant he despises. Meanwhile, Shakti, a mayakari witch bound by pacifism, seeks revenge after witnessing the murder of her aunt and village by the emperor's forces. Posing as a maidservant in the Maurya palace, she harnesses newfound powers to dismantle the monarchy from within, aiming to turn the royal family against their father's legacy. In a world where nature spirits roam and witches face extinction, Ashoka and Shakti must confront the complexities of power: whether to seize it for themselves or risk losing everything.