Fans of lush world-building, morally grey characters, enemies to lovers, and forbidden romance will devour this YA series. 
Save the empire...or let it burn. 
Revenge failed her... 
Three years ago, Lo’laeni Nolanhou did the unthinkable, slaying the empress of the cruel Alrenian Empire and freeing her people, the Forwyn slaves. But the price of revenge wasn’t freedom, only guilt. Vowing to never kill again, Lo dedicated her life to the god Elhani, serving as a nun within the Circle of Serenity to fight against the injustices still wrought against her people in the torn capital of Alrenor. 
Then Caesiem, a handsome and mysterious Teramese boy aligned with an underground Forwyn vigilante group, flips her world upside down. The unrest growing within Alrenor is worse than Lo realized. Corruption is everywhere...and the Forwyn vigilantes want an empress slayer. 
Revenge fuels her... 
For years, Empress Jaliana, Daughter of Karye, has been a captive in her own palace. A prisoner to her mother’s killers. A powerless pawn, alone and unable to take back her throne, her dragons, or her kingdom.Until one night a never-before-seen gift manifests itself within Jalie. It’s terrifying. Brutal. Everything she has ever needed. But the Forwyn won’t give in easily. They task Kovi, a young soldier, to watch over her, and he challenges everything she’s ever believed about her enemies... 
One empire. An age-old hatred. Two girls who will risk anything—even their souls—for their people. 
Not sure which order to read Rachel L. Schade's books in? The Cursed Empire series is set in the same world as the Silent Kingdom series, three years later, and follows new characters. If you're interested in both series, it's best to read SK first to avoid all possible spoilers. However, both series stand on their own and can be read in any order.

Empire of Dragons (Cursed Empire)

Science Fiction & Fantasy

Schade, Rachel L.

Fantasy

Dragon Shadow Publishing

Save the empire...or let it burn. Revenge failed her... Three years ago, Lo'laeni Nolanhou did the unthinkable, slaying the empress of the cruel Alrenian Empire and freeing her people, the Forwyn slaves. But the price of revenge wasn't freedom, only guilt. Vowing to never kill again, Lo dedicated her life to the god Elhani, serving as a nun within the Circle of Serenity to fight against the injustices still wrought against her people in the torn capital of Alrenor. Then Caesiem, a handsome and mysterious Teramese boy aligned with an underground Forwyn vigilante group, flips her world upside down. The unrest growing within Alrenor is worse than Lo realized. Corruption is everywhere...and the Forwyn vigilantes want an empress slayer. Revenge fuels her... For years, Empress Jaliana, Daughter of Karye, has been a captive in her own palace. A prisoner to her mother's killers. A powerless pawn, alone and unable to take back her throne, her dragons, or her kingdom. Until one night a never-before-seen gift manifests itself within Jalie. It's terrifying. Brutal. Everything she has ever needed. But the Forwyn won't give in easily. They task Kovi, a young soldier, to watch over her, and he challenges everything she's ever believed about her enemies... One empire. An age-old hatred. Two girls who will risk anything-even their souls-for their people.

Empire of Dragons

Teen & Young Adult

Fans of lush world-building, morally grey characters, enemies to lovers, and forbidden romance will devour this epic YA series.\nThe empire has fallen. A new one will rise.\nGuilty... 
Lo abandoned everything—her friends, her way of life, and perhaps even her soul—to save her people. But a shocking betrayal left her reeling...and the Alrenian Empire in enemy hands. Against all odds, she’s determined to continue fighting for her people’s freedom. Playing the role of spy and deceiver, Lo plots among her enemies by day and dodges her would-be killers by night. Unfortunately that means staying close to the thief who stole her heart—and her empire.\nHaunted... 
Caesiem has spent his life fighting to survive. Life has always forced him to make the hard decisions—kill or be killed, take or be left to die. Even after being adopted into the imperial family, his every decision has hinged on keeping the struggling Teramese people alive. But as he and his army establish a new empire and prepare for a looming war, he begins to question everything he ever thought he knew about his allegiances—and his own identity.\nDedicated... 
Kovi promised nothing would get in the way of his decision to serve and protect his people. He has always been the perfect soldier—no matter the price, or the pain. So when the Teramese make an offer that could spare Forwyn lives, he knows his loyalty is to his people...not his heart.\nAfraid... 
In the fight to regain her throne, Jalie thought winning her freedom would be the hardest step. But now she faces threats from all sides—even from fellow Alrenians who label her as weak and unworthy. Desperation leads her once again to Nesrelle, Queen of Death, who offers a bargain...at an uncertain price.\nAll have fought for their people. But will their sacrifices be worth the cost?

Empire of Traitors (Cursed Empire)

Romance

Fans of lush world-building, morally grey characters, enemies to lovers, and forbidden romance will devour this epic YA series.\nThe empire has fallen. A new one will rise.\nGuilty...\nLo abandoned everything-her friends, her way of life, and perhaps even her soul-to save her people. But a shocking betrayal left her reeling...and the Alrenian Empire in enemy hands. Against all odds, she's determined to continue fighting for her people's freedom. Playing the role of spy and deceiver, Lo plots among her enemies by day and dodges her would-be killers by night. Unfortunately that means staying close to the thief who stole her heart-and her empire.\nHaunted...\nCaesiem has spent his life fighting to survive. Life has always forced him to make the hard decisions-kill or be killed, take or be left to die. Even after being adopted into the imperial family, his every decision has hinged on keeping the struggling Teramese people alive. But as he and his army establish a new empire and prepare for a looming war, he begins to question everything he ever thought he knew about his allegiances-and his own identity.\nDedicated...\nKovi promised nothing would get in the way of his decision to serve and protect his people. He has always been the perfect soldier-no matter the price, or the pain. So when the Teramese make an offer that could spare Forwyn lives, he knows his loyalty is to his people...not his heart.\nAfraid...\nIn the fight to regain her throne, Jalie thought winning her freedom would be the hardest step. But now she faces threats from all sides-even from fellow Alrenians who label her as weak and unworthy. Desperation leads her once again to Nesrelle, Queen of Death, who offers a bargain...at an uncertain price.\nAll have fought for their people. But will their sacrifices be worth the cost?\nNot sure which order to read Rachel L. Schade's books in? The Cursed Empire series is set in the same world as the Silent Kingdom series, three years later, and follows new characters. If you're interested in both series, it's best to read SK first to avoid all possible spoilers. However, both series stand on their own and can be read in any order.

Empire of Traitors

Fans of lush world-building, morally grey characters, enemies to lovers, and forbidden romance will devour this epic YA series.\nIn an empire torn apart by war, the greatest enemies are within.\nRevenge…\nIn the wake of a ruthless betrayal, Jalie is forced to depend on Nesrelle, Queen of Death. But her army is falling to Nesrelle’s monstrous control. With her empire in upheaval, Jalie clings to the one thing she has left: revenge.\nRebellion…\nAfter a vicious battle, the Forwyn are left reeling from incalculable loss. To defend her people, Lo fights to outmaneuver Emperor Revaed in a deadly game of wills. But the hardest part is being opposed to the man she loves.\nJustice…\nKovi clings to hope for a Forwyn-Alrenian alliance, but mysterious prophecies warn him that his relationship with Jalie may be ill-fated. And when his foes are monsters, is mercy even an option?\nDeceit…\nHis entire life has been a lie. Heartbreaking revelations force Caesiem to choose between the only family he’s ever had, and the woman who has stolen his heart. But his divided loyalties may tear him apart.\nAs all else burns away, four leaders will face their greatest fears—and discover where their true allegiances lie.\nNot sure which order to read Rachel L. Schade's books in? The Cursed Empire series is set in the same world as the Silent Kingdom series, three years later, and follows new characters. If you're interested in both series, it's best to read SK first to avoid all possible spoilers. However, both series stand on their own and can be read in any order.

Empire of Monsters (Cursed Empire)

Fans of lush world-building, morally grey characters, enemies to lovers, and forbidden romance will devour this third installment in an epic YA series.\nIn an empire torn apart by war, the greatest enemies are within.\nRevenge...\nIn the wake of a ruthless betrayal, Jalie is forced to depend on Nesrelle, Queen of Death. But her army is falling to Nesrelle's monstrous control. With her empire in upheaval, Jalie clings to the one thing she has left: revenge.\nRebellion...\nAfter a vicious battle, the Forwyn are left reeling from incalculable loss. To defend her people, Lo fights to outmaneuver Emperor Revaed in a deadly game of wills. But the hardest part is being opposed to the man she loves.\nJustice...\nKovi clings to hope for a Forwyn-Alrenian alliance, but mysterious prophecies warn him that his relationship with Jalie may be ill-fated. And when his foes are monsters, is mercy even an option?\nDeceit...\nHis entire life has been a lie. Heartbreaking revelations force Caesiem to choose between the only family he's ever had, and the woman who has stolen his heart. But his divided loyalties may tear him apart.\nAs all else burns away, four leaders will face their greatest fears-and discover where their true allegiances lie.\nNot sure which order to read Rachel L. Schade's books in? The Cursed Empire series is set in the same world as the Silent Kingdom series, three years later, and follows new characters. If you're interested in both series, it's best to read SK first to avoid all possible spoilers. However, both series stand on their own and can be read in any order.

Empire of Monsters

Empire of Ruins (Cursed Empire)

In a war of empires and hearts, there are no winners. Only survivors.Defeated...With the capital in ruins, the Forwyn and their allies are forced to flee. Lo will risk anything to protect the ones she has left, but her people's numbers and hope are dwindling. 
Broken...Promises have been broken and loyalties severed. Jalie determines to slay her new captors...even the one she loves. And Kovi finds he must make his final choice between his duty as a soldier and his duty to his heart. 
Lost...Meanwhile, Caesiem grapples with the fact that he was merely a weapon forged to do Teramyl's bidding. He and Lo must navigate through both the ties that bind them and the obstacles that push them apart. 
Desperate...As the four fight for their people, their hearts, and their lives, they'll face the Queen of Death's conniving power and their own failures. Save the empire...or die trying.

Empire of Ruins

Silent Kingdom

Castle of Dusk and Shadows (Fae of Brytwilde)

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