Behind the Throne

Behind the Throne follows Hail Bristol, a former princess who abandoned her royal duties to become an interstellar gunrunner. After twenty years away from her home planet of Indrana, she is tracked down and brought back to face her destiny as the only remaining heir to the empire. The story combines elements of space opera with political intrigue as Hail must navigate court politics, assassination attempts, and the complex responsibilities of leadership. She leads a team of elite bodyguards while trying to uncover who is targeting the royal family and threatening the stability of the empire. The novel takes place in a matriarchal society where women hold the primary positions of power, offering a fresh perspective on imperial politics and succession. Cultural traditions, family dynamics, and questions of duty versus personal freedom shape the narrative. This first installment in the Indranan War trilogy explores themes of identity and the tension between escaping one's predetermined role and accepting responsibility for the greater good. The story challenges conventional ideas about leadership and belonging in a complex interstellar setting.

Readers note the strong character development and worldbuilding, particularly praising the protagonist Hail Bristol as a complex lead character. The action sequences and pacing receive frequent mentions in positive reviews. Liked: - The blend of space opera with political intrigue - LGBTQ+ representation and diversity - Female-centric society and power structures - Fast-paced plot with high stakes Disliked: - Some found the first 50 pages slow to start - Several readers mentioned confusion about the large cast of characters - A few reviews cited predictable plot elements - Some wanted more detail about the broader universe/setting Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (280+ ratings) "The protagonist feels authentic - not a perfect ruler but a real person thrust into power" - Goodreads reviewer "Strong female characters without making a big deal about their gender" - Amazon review

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🚀 Author K.B. Wagers worked as a paint store manager before becoming a full-time writer, often writing during lunch breaks and after hours. 👑 "Behind the Throne" is the first book in the Indranan War trilogy, which follows a gunrunner who must return home to become empress of a vast interstellar empire. 🌟 The book features a matriarchal society inspired by Indian culture, where women hold the primary positions of power and authority. 💫 The main character, Hail Bristol, was created as a deliberate subversion of typical princess narratives - she's a middle-aged woman with combat experience and a criminal past. 🌎 The novel's world-building incorporates Hindu mythology and traditions, including the concept of dharma (duty) as a central theme throughout the story.