3.5- Rounded up because the last 20% of the book really brought it all together and made me eager to read the sequel! There were many different threads to this story and it took time for me to feel fully invested. With a wide range of characters, I never felt there was one central protagonist to focus on and instead the story followed everyone from power-hungry rulers to a tavern’s kitchen boy. The complex, character-driven worldbuilding packed a lot of information into the first half of this book. Once established, you can see it was clearly built with intense care and planning.

The Empire’s Ghost has a little bit of everything: quests, fight scenes, dark secrets, and tons of royal intrigue. It took time for me to feel a real connection with the characters, I think mainly due to the many POVs/worldbuilding. But once I was hooked, I couldn’t put it down! The clever power plays and behind-the-scenes plots were very satisfying. This book has complicated world building, a myriad of political schemes, and excellent dialogue. While it may take a bit to settle into the world, it is worth it. In particular, during the last act of the book, all of the story threads are pulled taunt and you begin to see how everything comes together. What an ending!

If you enjoy epic fantasy, royal politics, and satisfying stories with a slower pace- check this out! Book two will soon be released, which is very fortunate after reading that ending. The Rightful Queen releases on July 21, 2020. I can’t wait to see what happens next! Thank you to Isabelle Steiger, St. Martin’s Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.