The Empire's Ghost--A Novel

March 27, 2017
Steiger’s enjoyable epic fantasy debut weaves in and out of the lives of people on all sides of the struggle to determine the destiny of a continent. A tavern kitchen boy and his friends accidentally get tangled in the affairs of Emperor Elgar, who’s trying to decide whether to turn his conquering ambitions on the kingdom of Reglay or the country of Esthrades. The boy king of Reglay seeks allies, and the marquise of Esthrades seeks power in more arcane ways, which leads her principal servant, Seren Almasy, into a chance encounter with the hapless protagonist. Steiger handles a complex plot and a multitude of viewpoints neatly and well. Revelations about the world and the characters are placed at suspenseful intervals, and the story raises many interesting questions that remain unanswered. Unfortunately, this series launch has no conclusion of its own but simply stops, and most of it is spent setting up events and revelations that readers will have no opportunity to experience until the next book is published. Steiger’s talent does make this less frustrating overall than it otherwise might be, but the lack of emotional payoff in this installment is very noticeable. Agent: Thomas Flannery Jr., AGI Vigliano.

March 15, 2017
Ambition and intrigue are the fuel that powers the empire of Elesthene. Each smaller kingdom within this fractured world is struggling to survive after magic's demise, and the Imperator Elgar is intent upon conquering it all through his ruthless cunning. The diverse characters switch the novel's perspective from the alleys and brothels of the slums, to echoing palaces filled with an ever-creeping despair. Each character feels unique and compelling to the reader, with enough humorous banter to keep the darkness at bay. The thieves and the rogues exhibit a winning charm as they piece together a mystery involving an ancient stone with the power to topple dynasties. The female characters are fully realized, flaws and all, as they hold their own in a struggle for domination, and the royal families are at odds with each other but united in their quest for understanding their magical history. The pace is brisk, and Steiger drops in hints and clues along the way to keep the reader tantalized with wondering how all the plots and traps will play out. A well-crafted tale that is ripe for a sequel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)