The Sea Change

by Patricia Bray

Bantam Spectra, 326 pp, $6.99

The Sea Change is by the author of the First Betrayal.

After years of exile and confusion, Josan is co-located in the body of Prince Lucius, leader of a failed rebellion against the Empress of Ikaria.

When the Ikarian royal family is assassinated, he is first tortured nearly to death, then turned into the new Emperor but under the thumb of the proconsul, trying to hold the empire together.

In the sea states of the Federation, war is waged under the guise of pirate chasing, to reclaim the mainland ports they once held. The lady Ysobel must become a navel leader to save her own life as well as her trading company.

Can Josan/Lucius survive the court intrigues to save Ikeria? Can the Lady Ysibel, survive to make peace if they do?

Well-written fantasy with characters to both love and hate, this is a page-turner. With plenty of action. I’ll look forward to reading more by this author. It has something for almost every reader in a fun package. - Pam Allan