Fantasy book about a ruler or emperor who has lived many lives by using magic to transfer his soul into a child or baby.

[Lisa]

His followers believe that he is actually just born again and again. He tells them that after he dies, they need to search out a child who will know the things that he knows. In reality, he is not reincarnated but has stolen the child’s body. I believe that this involves blood magic of some sort. I believe that he has a very loyal follower who discover some things and starts to question everything.

[Js700]

Sherry Thomas? We don't find this out until book three The Immortal Heights.

[Lisa]

Unfortunately, that isn’t it. I do not know if this was the main plot, but I know that it was a big part of the story.

[Lisa]

I just remembered something else from this plot line of this book. If I’m remembering right, they would do some sort of ceremony where his followers would cut themselves and sacrifice their blood. I think it involved a cup of some sort and they did the ceremony often.

[David]

Hi, Lisa.

Is the emperor/ruler the POV in this book?

Any detail about the cover?

When did you read it? A range of years is fine.

Does the emperor/ruler has any other kind of powers or just the theft of bodies?

Does any book in the Literature section of Grand Theft Me ring a bell?
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...

[Lisa]

Hi David! Thank you so much for that link! I was able to find the book using it. It’s transcendence, a book from the Demon Wars saga. It’s the Chezru chieftain Yakim who does this. This has been bothering me for days. I feel much better now. This website seems like a useful resource, I added it to my favorites so that I can look other things up if I can’t remember a book. I read a lot, so sometimes the different plot lines tend to get mixed up in my mind. Again, thank you.

[David]

I saw that one in the list, but wasn't sure, and couldn't find additional details, glad it helped.

Transcendence by R.A. Salvatore for the trackable link.