A SONG OF STORM AND SHADOW (STORMS IN AMETHIR)

In Cain’s series opener, a royal arranged marriage may bring peace—unless a steadfast assassin puts a stop to it.

Princess Azmei of Tamnen sails to the city-state of Ranarr, the place where she will come face-to-face with the man she’s to marry for the first time. It’s all part of a plan to end the war between Tamnen and the land of Strid, though her union will be with the prince of Amethir. While Prince Vistaren is determined to make a good impression on his bride-to-be, he’d much prefer, if given the choice, to be coupled with a man. He sails aboard the Dawn Starwith privateer Arama Dzornaea at the helm; she’ll take the prince and the princess back to Amethir, should they both agree to wed. But that’s not the only thing happening in Ranarr, which is a bevy of activity—there’s an assassin in the mix plotting to take out Azmei and ensure that peace isn’t possible. Cain’s brisk tale is surprisingly low-key in the telling, considering that “pirate captain” Arama is prominently featured; much of what unfolds in Ranarr concerns politics, burgeoning relationships, and potential romances. Will Azmei and Vistaren feel anything for one another, or simply accept their union as an obligation? And how will Arama answer an ultimatum from General Lozarr Algot, who’s long held affection for the typically guarded captain? By contrast, the narrative perspective of the assassin, who’s meticulously formulating the princess’ demise, layers the novel with suspense (“She’d packed two daggers in a false bottom for her trunk, along with an ornate garrote that looked like jewelry. She had all the supplies she needed”). The remarkable cast only reinforces the lively setting (including the city-state’s “series of markets”); there’s merchant Orya Perslyn, who travels with and befriends Azmei; Azmei’s brother and sword-sparring partner Razem; and softhearted Lord-Captain Destar Thorne of Tamnen’s navy. Readers will surely welcome any one of these individuals back in sequels.

Superlative characters garner the spotlight in this quiet but absorbing fantasy.