Servant of the Empire

If it's even possible, the second book felt even more powerful than the first! The first book saw Mara defeat the noble Lord that caused the downfall of her father and brother, and who almost crushed her House. The second book saw the stakes rising to the point of endangering the Empire itself, involving the Emperor, and the very way of life of the Empire's citizens. Incredibly well-crafted and very exciting to read, this is a superb piece of literature; especially the finale - it was a very touching and a very good ending.