Passion

The Ashuak Chronicles #2

by Tony Shillitoe

The Dragonkin need the Genesis Stone to immortalise their power, but their bargain with the Dragon Priests is thrown into jeopardy as the borders of the Ashuak Empire, home to the Dragon Priests, crumble. Fearing the wrath of Ashan’e andher brood, the Ashuak Dragon Priests make a political play for control of the southern province and move to train the Jaru, Alwyn, to fulfil the Dragonkin prophecy.Sukaal Vekesh struggles to hold Ashuak control of the southern province, Sekesu, under threat from increasing rebel Jaru activity, and assassination attempts from Ashuak rivals who stand to lose wealth and status if the Jaru slave market and mines are closed down. Determined to be moderate in his dealings, Vekesh learns his enemies neither trust him nor are willing to compromise. When the Emperor announces he will hold the annual Empire Games in the Sekesu capital, Vechwer, Vekesh’s responsibilities only become more complicated than he imagined.Her brother brutally murdered in the arena, herself abused and imprisoned to labour in the marble mines, Shana survives her ordeal and escapes, intent on taking revenge against the Ashuak for the injustices and cruelty inflicted on the Jaru.Alwyn, the Jaru raised as an Ashuak, travels to Sekesu, where he witnesses the oppression inflicted on his people, and the experience leaves him conflicted as to his loyalties and future. He also learns that he has inherited and is being offered greater power than any human in history, power drawn from the Dragonkin culture.

Genres: Fantasy

565 pages, Paperback

First published December 4, 2003

About the author

Tony Shillitoe is an Australian-based author of fantasy, speculative, teenage and crime detective fiction. His first fantasy series, the Andrakis trilogy, was published by Pan Macmillan in 1992-3. HarperCollins have subsequently published two more fantasy series - the Ashuak Chronicles and Amber Legacy. The Last Wizard (1995) was shortlisted for the inaugural Aurealis Awards, as was Blood in 2002. Caught in the Headlights was listed as a notable read for older readers by the Childrens Book Council in 2003. Most recently, In My Father's Shadow, a young adult novel, was published through Amazon Kindle (2015).

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Passion picks up where Blood left off. The author throws the reader back into the crumbling world of the Ashuak Empire. The story continues to chart a course through blood thirsty imperial politics, as Sukaal Vekesk faces hidden enemies to his moderate reign as military governor of Sekesu.

Without a doubt, this second novel in the trilogy is just as exciting as the first. Shana, the legendary Jaru gladiator, though enslaved, continues her plans to avenge her brother’s murder. Alwyn, the teacher, learns more of the Dragon Priest’s magic than the Dragon Priests know themselves. And all the while, the wheels set in motion by the Great Dragons to find the Genesis Stone and their ancient enemies the Alfwyn, continue to turn towards a brutal climax. I love this series!