Rise of the Last Warrior Queen
*Winner of the 2024 Firebird Book Award
{Category: Biographical Fiction}
*Nominated for the 2024 Winning Writer's North Street Book Prize
{Category: Genre Fiction}
ISBN-13: 979-8884354562 (Paperback)
ISBN-13: 979-8884990166 (Hard Cover)
ASIN: B0D487RMWR (Kindle)
321 Pages
Published: 15 May 2024
15th century Asia. After two hundred years of civil war, Genghis Khan’s vast empire is more divided than ever. During this time, when ruthless men rule the world, young Mandukhai dreams of becoming a fierce female warrior. But her desires come to a stand-still when she is forced to become Manduul Khan’s second wife.
Meanwhile, Wan Zhen’er, who lives in the Forbidden City, is only the nanny to Zhu Jianshen, the future Emperor of China. But although she eventually rises to the rank of official concubine of the Chenghua Emperor and becomes the most powerful woman in the Middle Kingdom, Lady Wan is forced to defend her precarious position daily against conspiratorial eunuchs, warlords, ministers, and much younger and ambitious concubines.
The great Mongolian warrior, Unebolod, spends his life in Manduul Khan’s shadow, preparing for the day when he can seize the throne even though he’s not a direct descendant of Genghis Khan but rather of his younger brother, Qasar. But when he forms a dangerous alliance with Mandukhai Khatun, it swiftly transforms into a lingering passion that could destroy them both. But just as the two young people are sure that fate will bring them together and make Unebolod the next Khan, a young prince emerges from the shadows, captures the Khan’s attention, and attempts to steal the people’s hearts.
But as Manduul Khan slowly withers away, Mandukhai Khatun faces her most formidable challenge thus far: Carving out her place in a political hierarchy ruled by men. And as the Mongolian warlords prepare to raise their war banners again, secrets are revealed, and dangers lurk around every corner. Who will survive the treacherous games of influence and power at the Mongolian court and the Forbidden City? Will this end the great forefather Genghis Khan’s royal bloodline? And who will be left to tell the tale when the dust finally settles?
Praise for Rise of the Last Warrior Queen
I love history, and I will admit that I know nothing about this era. This was great for me, learning something new about people I had never heard of. It prompted me to do my own research as I became so invested in them, I had to know what happened to them!
- Becca Owen, Goodreads Reviewer
It's a brilliant example that you can be born into power and still have none, you can be a woman but still have influence, you can be born without power but you can get it. I would happily read more from this author.
- Rowen Burrows, Author of The Legends Series