Odalisque: Book One of The Percheron Saga

Once a captive of merciless desert slave traders, Lazar fought his way to freedom—and to an exalted role as Spur of Percheron, guardian of his adopted city, and confidant and protector of the Zar, Joreb. But now the Zar is dead and his fifteen-year-old heir, Boaz, must assume the mantle of leadership—guided by trusted advisor Lazar, the "mad" dwarf jester Pez . . . and Boaz's cruel, ambitious mother, who truly holds the reins of power. In the midst of roiling court intrigue, a young girl arrives to fill a space in Boaz's harem—and inflames unexpectedly strong feelings in both Boaz and Lazar. But the odalisque, Ana, will not be satisfied by the closeted, stifling world of the harem. And, unbeknownst to all, the gods themselves are rising up in cyclical battle—as the struggle begins within and beyond the palace walls for the imperiled soul of Percheron. "Captured by slave traders in the inhospitable desert, Lazar fought his way to freedom, earning the coveted position of Spur of Percheron. Charged with protecting his adopted city from enemies on both sides of its walls, he has led a charmed life as confidant to and protector of Zar Joreb for many years. But now Joreb is dead." "Though Joreb's well-intentioned fifteen-year-old heir, Boaz, will take the title of Zar, the balance of power lies in the hands of his beautiful and cruelly ambitious mother, a former harem slave who rose to power by the Zar's favor. Aside from Lazar, whom Boaz trusts and respects, the young Zar's only friend is Pez, the court jester, a misshapen dwarf whose tricks and diversions are accepted only because he is know to be mad." "When a stunning young girl is brought to the palace to fill a space in Boaz's harem, both Boaz and Lazar are surprised by their unexpectedly strong reactions to her. But Ana, the odalisque, finds the closeted world of the harem stifling and unbearable. And unbeknownst to all, the gods themselves are beginning to rise in a cyclical battle that is just the beginning, and will enmesh everyone in the palace in a struggle for the very soul of Percheron."--BOOK JACKET Captured by slave traders in the inhospitable desert, Lazar fought his way to freedom, earning the coveted position of Spur of Percheron. Charged with protecting his adopted city from enemies on both sides of its walls, he has led a charmed life as confidant to and protector of Zar Joreb for many years. But now Joreb is dead. . . . Though Joreb's well-intentioned fifteen-year-old heir, Boaz, will take the title of Zar, the balance of power lies in the hands of his beautiful and cruelly ambitious mother, a former harem slave who rose to power by the Zar's favor. Aside from Lazar, whom Boaz trusts and respects, the young Zar's only friend is Pez, the court jester, a misshapen dwarf whose tricks and diversions are accepted only because he is known to be mad. When a stunning young girl is brought to the palace to fill a space in Boaz's harem, both Boaz and Lazar are surprised by their unexpectedly strong reactions to her. But Ana, the odalisque, finds the closeted world of the harem stifling and unbearable. And unbeknownst to all, the gods themselves are beginning to rise in a cyclical battle that is just beginning, and will enmesh everyone in the palace in a struggle for the very soul of Percheron. The first novel in an exciting new series from the bestselling author of The Quickening trilogy. The old Zar is dying and everyone but his heir has reason to wish him dead. Herezah, his elegant wife, can finally take her yearned-for position as Valide Zara and rule through her son, Boaz, whilst the ambitious Vizier seeks to ingratiate himself with this scheming woman. Salmeo, the cruel Grand Master Eunuch, will gain more power through an alliance with the Valide, if only she can forget his vile treatment of her in earlier years. It seems that only Pez, the demented, deformed court clown, and Lazar, head of Percheron's security, truly care about Boaz. Lazar, charged with restocking the palace harem for Percheron's new young ruler, purchases the beautiful Ana. She is headstrong and gifted, and Pez and Lazar find themselves being helplessly drawn into the claustrophic palace politics and a wider web of intrigue concerning an ancient, cyclical battle between the demon, Maliz, and the Mother Goddess In this first novel in an exciting new series, from the author of the Quickening series, the old Zar is dying, and everyone but his heir has reason to wish him dead. His wife, her son and the ambitious Vizier all have there own motives, it seems only Pez, the deformed court clown and Lazar, head of security truly care. "In Percheron an old Zar dies and Boaz, the 15-year-old son of Herezah, his Absolute Favourite, takes power. Ambitious and scheming, Herezah arranges for her son's rivals to be disposed of, and overseas the assembly of a new harem." -- BOOK JACKET Set in the famed harem of an exotic palace and infused with forbidden love, treachery, betrayal, and possession, this is the first novel in a sweeping new epic fantasy trilogy from the author of "Bridge of Souls."