Allure, the heroine of Sara Mueller’s debut novel, “The Bone Orchard,” runs what’s politely described as a “gents’s membership” within the imperial metropolis of Borenguard. She can also be the Emperor’s unique mistress, a reality recognized to and accepted by everybody, together with the Empress. Again within the days of real-world European empires, this might need appeared like a civilized and secure state of affairs.
Till the Emperor is poisoned. Mendacity on his deathbed, he duties his trustworthy mistress not solely with detecting the assassin, but additionally with figuring out the succession. Which of his sons shall inherit the throne? Aerleas the butcher? Strephon the spendthrift? Luther the paranoid misogynist? Or Phelan, the membership’s least favourite buyer? “I haven’t sweated and fought, tortured and lied to see my legacy dissolve once I’m gone,” the dying sovereign rues. “You haven’t any different selection, I do know, however you’ll select a brand new emperor with care.”