Exordium Series by Sherwood Smith, Dave Trowbridge

The first in a SF/adventure series that glitters with intrigue. As a 20-year-long plot for revenge comes to fruition, the sons of the ruler of the Thousand Suns are murdered, and he is taken prisoner. But the usurper's vengeance is incomplete. For one son was missing at the ceremony where the fatal blow was struck. And now the hope of the Thousand Suns rests in his hands.

In the sequel to The Phoenix in Flight, Brandon vlith-Arkad, the rightful heir to the Emerald Throne of the Thousand Suns, is the only hope for the restoration of the Phoenix empire. Original.

Brandon vlith-Arkad, heir to the Phoenix Throne, along with the Rifter pirate crew of the Telvarna, seeks a means of rescuing Brandon's father, Gelasaar, who is fighting his own battle with his former fosterling, Anaris.

Brandon Arkad, now undisputed but uncrowned Emperor of the Thousand Suns, must reclaim his stolen throne from the usurper. But he must fight more than the enemy. Within his own court and military are those who doubt the legitimacy of his rule. And even closer to him may be a traitor who will break his heart.

The conclusion to the five-volume Exordium series of space adventures features the newly crowned Emperor Brandon hai-Arkad in a battle to reclaim his father's empire, the Thousand Suns, from his enemy. Original.