The Serpentine Throne Series by Susan Stradiotto

A murdered empress. A missing emperor. Mairynne Evangale called them Mother, Father. The country mourns while rumors of unrest stir. The sorcery castes struggle for power, and the casteless riot in the streets. Conflict hadn’t escalated this rapidly in Nantai since the Ryū Wars more than five ages past. The people need a new imperial leader. Mairynne’s soul yearns for many things, but she never wished for the duty her Father assigned. She carries two soul stones, one cold and the other hot... moreA murdered empress. A missing emperor. Mairynne Evangale called them Mother, Father. The country mourns while rumors of unrest stir. The sorcery castes struggle for power, and the casteless riot in the streets. Conflict hadn’t escalated this rapidly in Nantai since the Ryū Wars more than five ages past. The people need a new imperial leader. Mairynne’s soul yearns for many things, but she never wished for the duty her Father assigned. She carries two soul stones, one cold and the other hot. They came to her with the loss of each parent. They call to her, beckoning her to leave home. They reinforce her convictions . . . Her father lives. He will return to his seat upon the Serpentine Throne. But first, she must answer the call. less

A witch. Small Folk. The casteless. After abdicating the Serpentine Throne, Mairynne flees from Arashi in search of her father. Gensui Thalaj Northerngale, her only companion and protector, travels at her side. The forest provides cover, but for how long? Her sisters and the council will be searching. Through the Yubar Forest, across the Central Grasslands, into trading towns, and beyond, the journey winds through Nantai... moreA witch. Small Folk. The casteless. After abdicating the Serpentine Throne, Mairynne flees from Arashi in search of her father. Gensui Thalaj Northerngale, her only companion and protector, travels at her side. The forest provides cover, but for how long? Her sisters and the council will be searching. Through the Yubar Forest, across the Central Grasslands, into trading towns, and beyond, the journey winds through Nantai. And for the first time, Mairynne faces the hardships of those who do not belong to the elite caste. The stones she wears draw her onward, the people she meets guide her forward, and the witch reveals a prophecy. She makes unlikely friends, encounters formidable foes, and learns. But someone or something follows. Her search leads her to the City by the Sea, demands she leave Nantai’s shores, and guides her toward Syrensea into the true unknown. Another step and another still . . . Mairynne seeks something far more important than duty. Family. But will the price be too high? less

A ship ne’er returns from o’er the Syrensea The dragons have resurfaced in Nantai, the Cloud Courtiers are playing dangerous games, and the empire is crumbling. The caste leaders are posturing for power; the price imposed by the Stone Singer leader Sarangarel tell as much. The sum cannot be unpaid, and a blizzard Mairynne cannot see her way through now rages inside Thalaj... moreA ship ne’er returns from o’er the Syrensea The dragons have resurfaced in Nantai, the Cloud Courtiers are playing dangerous games, and the empire is crumbling. The caste leaders are posturing for power; the price imposed by the Stone Singer leader Sarangarel tell as much. The sum cannot be unpaid, and a blizzard Mairynne cannot see her way through now rages inside Thalaj.Captain Asahi and his crew sail the Swell Mistress westward, ferrying Mairynne and her party into the unknown in search of the island nation Ise. New adventures on the high seas ensue, but are the storied sea creatures real or lore? A new land comes into view, but is it the island for which they search? Separation from her friends, captivity, a journey through the jungle, and entrance into other-worldly realms await.Has she reached Ise? The songs of the stones are waning. Is this where she will find her father? How far must she trek inland? And will she be able to make amends with Thalaj before her time runs out? less