The Impossible Contract The Perfect Assassin has more world-building description so I would recommend reading it first, but this novel is basically independent and spends time outside of Ghadid so necessary information is included.
After completing several contracts as Amastan's partner Thana takes the lead on a contract that could make her a legend: Heru, the dangerous en-marab diplomat sent by the Empress. Ghadid nominally belongs to the Empress but the drum chiefs will not be ruled, so it is a politically sensitive situation. After proper preparation Thana makes her move, but a group of undead controlled by a rival en-marab makes a blundering assassination attempt. When Heru flees back to the Empress in Na Tay Khet he brings the healer Mo, who is both a corroborating witness and possesses talents of interest to Heru. Thana cannot let her mark escape so follows across the desert, leaving Amastan behind to heal. Thana has to put her contract, so reputation and life, aside to fight against a greater evil.
This novel is full of action, a little romance with Mo, and some dry humor from Heru. It is different from The Perfect Assassin - this is not a series to continue a character, but to build a world. I see there is a third book, starring a different character with a different plot... I am very interested to see where that goes.
The Perfect Assassin has more world-building description so I would recommend reading it first, but this novel is basically independent and spends time outside of Ghadid so necessary information is included.
After completing several contracts as Amastan's partner Thana takes the lead on a contract that could make her a legend: Heru, the dangerous en-marab diplomat sent by the Empress. Ghadid nominally belongs to the Empress but the drum chiefs will not be ruled, so it is a politically sensitive situation. After proper preparation Thana makes her move, but a group of undead controlled by a rival en-marab makes a blundering assassination attempt. When Heru flees back to the Empress in Na Tay Khet he brings the healer Mo, who is both a corroborating witness and possesses talents of interest to Heru. Thana cannot let her mark escape so follows across the desert, leaving Amastan behind to heal. Thana has to put her contract, so reputation and life, aside to fight against a greater evil.
This novel is full of action, a little romance with Mo, and some dry humor from Heru. It is different from The Perfect Assassin - this is not a series to continue a character, but to build a world. I see there is a third book, starring a different character with a different plot... I am very interested to see where that goes.