A multi POV story set in Rokugan, a fantasy version of medieval Japan in the aftermath of the Emperor's assassination and political infighting:
- There's Toturi, former chief bodyguard of the slain emperor, who finds himself at the end of a rebel army trying to restore peace
- There's Yakamo of the Crab whose clan defend the southern border against the demons/spirits of the Shadowlands. Seeking reinforcements, the Rokugans prefer to fight amongst each other rather than their external enemies. After a healing, he's possessed of new powers, thoughts and ambitions.
- There's Hoteru, ostensibly the Crane Champion fighter but depicted as a one note fool who's either lusting after Lady Kachiko (a far more interesting character) or jealous that she's not the object of Lady Kachiko's affections.
- There's also a shadowy presence at court who may, or may not, be influencing/controlling some of the players.
The book ends with each character having completed something and tee'd up for the next action on their to-do lists.

For those familiar with the lore of this land, this book probably fits right in (I've read the Daidoji Shin mysteries by Joshua Reynolds, also part of this universe) but be prepared to have things stated rather than explained - I'm not sure who Fu Leng is/was but they're the evil genius behind the shadowland monsters. Then there are other things which are constantly restated - I'm not sure how many times we're told it's Hantei 38th who was killed. There's also Hoteru's one tone jealousy. Trying to write within an existing universe something which satisfies the hard core fans as well as those new is a difficult balance but I'm not sure this book quite pulls it off.

Despite this, an entertaining yarn for a few evenings. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

My thanks to NetGalley and Aconyte Books for an advance copy of this fantasy adventure story set in the world of a popular tabletop gaming, dealing with the death of rulers, loss of purpose, court intrigue, monsters, magic, and of course honor.

I remember when TSR starting making fantasy novels set in the world of their game systems. I was the happiest person in the world. I am not sure why but I love novelizations of all kinds. Movies, television, radio shows, role playing, computer games I just can't get enough. I think it might have to do with the familiarity of the subject, wanting to see characters from some entertainments continue on, long after The End appears on the screen. For role playing games I think it was more that I wish I was running these adventures of even playing in them. As I got older it was harder to find people to play with, so most of my joy came from the books. In fact there are many books set in role playing worlds that I have never played. After reading this book, I really have to make some more friends. A Throne Betrayed: A Legend of the Five Rings Novel is the first book in the War of the Clans series written by New York Times Best-selling author Julie Kagawa and J.T. Nicholas. The book is set in a perilous time, full of betrayal, assassination, kidnapping, strange creatures, mysteries, and a quest to find oneself.

The Emperor has been struck down, killed by a trusted member of the Scorpion Clan, leaving the Emerald Empire teetering. In addition the Emperor's sons are missing, adding further chaos to the situation. The lines of understanding, the mutual fear, the animosities that kept the clans in check to each other have been removed, and now a weak government means that the clans will battle both on the field, and in the shadows for power. Toturi was once the Emperor's champion, he in fact found the dead Emperor fresh corpse, but could do nothing to save him. Toturi is now a rōnin, a samurai without master or purpose, still trying to keep justice, while trying to make sense of what happened. Though lost to himself, Toturi has gained companions on his search, but how much he can trust his new friends he doesn't know. Doji Hotaru is in the capital watching things slowly decaying, having feelings for one person, and fear and disquiet for another. Hotaru sees what is happening but as no idea how to stop things, even as the darkness gets closer. Meanwhile on the frontier with the Shadowlands, creatures of darkness attack the Wall, a Wall that is closer and closer to falling. Hidu Yokamo is used to the usual monsters, but these new creatures, along with the dead rising, are something he never trained for. And something these forces might not be able to stop.

As I said I am unfamiliar with the game, though I have read many books based here. I am not sure if this is early in the world, setting up adventures, or just a new campaign. I really enjoyed this book, the mix of characters and their motivations, and the way the authors developed them over the course of the book. There are many changes for the characters, and they show a lot of growth, and makes one flip pages faster and faster to see what is coming next. Action and intrigue mix well, and both are handheld equally well. I really enjoyed the action. The story moves a bit in time, but I think that really helped the book, and one doesn't get lost or confused.

A very good story, for those unfamiliar with the game. Those who play it will probably pick up a lot a missed, so I recommend it to them. This is like a great movie, the way characters are introduced, plots developed and built on. A really good series I want to read more of. Even more I want to play the game.