Heir and Passing
Do the gods – or an Empress – demand a price for a life saved, a war won, secrets kept? Intelligent, educated, subtle and precise, Gwenna would be the perfect wife for the young Emperor – and the marriage might save her father’s life. Set against the intrigue and treachery of the Imperial Court, Empire’s Heir is narrated by Gwenna and her father Cillian. Nearly twelve years later, Gwenna continues her story in Empire’s Passing, told from both her point of view and, in a return to bring the series full circle, her mother Lena. In a time of loss and change, both women must make difficult choices for their own futures, and that of their land.
https://books2read.com/marianlthorpe
“Empire’s Heir is a unique, fiendish drama…a timely LGBTQ novel but also a strong feminist tale in how it handles its female protagonist and how her choices and actions determine the progress of the storyline. Empire’s Heir is a highly recommended read…” Vincent Dublado for Readers’ Favorite
“This book has it all: tight plotting, strong characters, action, danger, drama, and pathos. Another great offering from a skilful hand.” Discovering Diamonds
“Trust, intrigue, lust, betrayal, power, sacrifice, grief, family, friends, and lovers – all wrapped up in this beautifully written story where the ending will come as a surprise and a twist…I enjoyed the ebb and flow of the writing, and completely sucked in by Ms Thorpe’s world-building skill which, by that alone, engenders a five-star rating.” Historical Fiction Club
“[Empire’s Passing is] an epic conclusion to a book series…‘Love’ is not sufficient enough word to emphasize how much I have enjoyed this whole series. It’s been an absolute journey from the start, with a difficult but a rewarding conclusion.” Cover to Cover Book Reviews
Empire’s Heir:
A 2022 Eric Hoffer Award Finalist and a 2022 Indie Ink Awards Finalist.
Ephēmeros (Cillian's lament for Lianë )
Fair the first buds after winter.
Fair the curl of new leaf
Opening; sweet scent of spring.
All pass in their time.
Where is there reason for grief?
Fair the green field of grain.
Fair the swelling berry
Ripening; rich scent of summer
All pass in their season.
Time does not tarry.
Fair the hanging fruit.
Fair the golden harvest
Gathered; deep scent of autumn.
All pass as they must
Before winter darkness.
Where is her laughter?
Where is her touch; the bright eyes,
The golden hair;
Her scent as sweet as spring’s bloom?
Passed before time; life only lent.
Waste like winter obscures the world.
My heart laments.
Wind scatters blossom, seed; leaves fall
To ground undiscovered.
And like unto them is my child.
(c) 2022 Marian L Thorpe
marianlthorpe.com 