We Ride the Storm

We Ride the Storm follows three characters caught in an empire-spanning conflict: Miko, an empress-in-waiting stripped of her claim; Rah e'Torin, an exiled warrior leading his horsemen in foreign lands; and Cassandra, an assassin who shares her body with a voice inside her head. Set in a world inspired by Asian history and culture, the story centers on the clash between the Kisian Empire and the invading force of Chiltaens. The plot moves between political intrigue, military campaigns, and personal vendettas as alliances shift and secrets emerge. Multiple forces vie for control amid growing instability - including noble houses, mercenary groups, and those who practice forbidden magic. Each viewpoint character must navigate treachery while pursuing their own goals for survival and power. The narrative explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the price of ambition through characters who must decide what they're willing to sacrifice for their beliefs and what truly defines who they are.

Readers highlight the complex political intrigue, unique magic system, and multi-perspective narration through three distinct characters. Many note the Asian-inspired setting and attention to cultural details. Readers praise: - Fast-paced, action-packed battles and fight scenes - Strong female characters, particularly Miko - Realistic character development and moral ambiguity - Detailed worldbuilding without excessive exposition - Integration of Katana maintenance/care into the narrative Common criticisms: - Takes time to understand multiple storylines - Some find the pacing uneven between POV chapters - Violence and gore level too high for some readers - Head-hopping within scenes can be confusing Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) BookHype: 4.1/5 Notable reader quote: "The writing style hooks you in immediately. Each POV character has their own distinct voice and way of seeing the world." - Goodreads reviewer

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🗡️ "We Ride the Storm" is the first book in The Reborn Empire series, but it was originally self-published before being picked up by Orbit Books for traditional publishing. 🏹 The book draws inspiration from Asian history and culture, particularly Japanese and Mongolian influences, rather than the typical Western European medieval fantasy setting. 👑 Author Devin Madson learned sword fighting to write more authentic combat scenes, training in both European and Japanese martial arts. 🐎 The novel features three distinct point-of-view characters whose storylines weave together: an exiled princess, a warrior from a society of head-hunters, and an assassin possessed by a foreign consciousness. 🌏 The world-building includes a unique cultural practice where the Levanti people (one of the main cultures in the book) believe they must sever and preserve the heads of the dead to prevent their souls from being lost.