Stands a Shadow is volume two of the Heart of the World.

The grieving Holy Matriarch of Mann has ordered an invasion of the free ports that have held the empire at bay for ten years of siege.

Ash is a man who would first see her dead. The ailing Roshun assassin wants revenge for her previous crimes. This is personal…

In addition the matriarch's personal diplomat is questioning his path.  Bahn, a soldier losing his mind, Bull, a murderer seems to fit with the times, and Curl, a drug addicted prostitute determined to make a stand against the empire.

When the two armies clash, sheer force will not win the war, only one man seeking redemption may be able to sway the outcome

Wow! The author of Farlander outdoes himself. The world is beautifully drawn, the action character-driven, the action is bloodthirsty enough and contains a twist or two, preventing the reader from putting the book down easily. This series is collectible, and I look forward to the next volume. ~~ Pam Allan