<p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>In Grethe the world after the fall of Queen Ulaan has been calm for the most part-although Queen Adeleide has been deposed.&nbsp;Her younger sister Hulde now sits upon the Crimson Throne and does her best to unite her people.&nbsp;But the forces that deposed her sister-the shadowy organization known as the Red Hand-are watching her rule closely.&nbsp;When the kinpira Maergit Bruntragen returns from Astaria this time as an ambassador from the human Queen Jesra with a human in tow Hulde will be forced to navigate a deadly political snake pit as anti-human forces plot against her.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>To the south in the human city of Hannen a new Pontifex now heads the Church of Han.&nbsp;Darzin lacks the intimidating quality of his predecessor Cashar but he is devious and dangerous nonetheless.&nbsp;Darzin wants to finish what Cashar started and he will be satisfied with nothing less than wiping out all kinpira.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>To the north the ancient evil of the Unspeakables is stirring.&nbsp;The wards that have held them in check for centuries have started to fray and it seems only a matter of time before their darkness is unleashed on first Grethe then the rest of the world.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Throughout everything Maergit must find a way to bridge the gap between kinpira and human between chaos and order and between friendship and love.&nbsp;With the human Silas Underwood at her side Maergit will be forced to choose between loyalty to her country and the desires of her heart.</span></p><p><em style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>The House of Crimson Ruin </em><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>is an epic conclusion to the Astaria Duology.&nbsp;It follows </span><em style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>The Sea of Silver Grass </em><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>as an exploration of magic bravery and staying true to oneself.</span></p><p></p><p></p>