Daughters of the Empire (1989) by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts is the first book in the Empire Trilogy, a lush political fantasy set in the world of Midkemia (shared with Feist’s Riftwar Saga). The story follows Mara of the Acoma, a young noblewoman who inherits her near-destroyed house after her father and brother are assassinated. Thrust into a cutthroat world of Tsurani intrigue, Mara must navigate betrayals, marriages of convenience, and deadly cho-ja (ant-like allies) to restore her family’s honor.
Wurts’s influence shines in the nuanced cultural worldbuilding—Tsurani society’s rigid caste system and gender politics—while Feist’s action roots the drama. A standout for its intelligent, resilient heroine and Machiavellian twists.
Perfect for fans of Game of Thrones’ political maneuvering with a unique Eastern-inspired setting.
