Mara of the Acoma is taking her final vows as a priestess when she learns that her father and brother have died in the Riftwar. As the only surviving member of the Acoma, she is now the Ruling Lady and must prepare to defend her estates and the people sworn to her service while dodging assassins. Honor also demands that she avenge her father and brother because they were betrayed on the battlefield by a commander belonging to the more powerful Minwanabi family. As a noble daughter, she wasn't educated to lead the house in politics and battle, but Mara quickly proves that she is intelligent, bold, and willing to bend tradition to her advantage. Only fools underestimate a woman determined to have her revenge.

The Empire Trilogy by Janny Wurts is part of the Riftwar Cycle by Raymond E. Feist, but can be read on its own. Mara's world of Kelewan is very different from Midkemia where the Riftwar takes place. The feudal Empire holds tightly to ancient traditions that have made them the dominant civilization on Kelewan but has also stifled social and intellectual growth. According to those traditions, the Minwinabi did nothing wrong by betraying their own people on a battlefield as long as the war effort didn't suffer. Everyone knows what happened, but the other houses simply sit back and watch what they assume will be the end of the respected, but not politically powerful, Acoma. However, Mara is angry, not only with the Minwinabi but also with the entire system, so she doesn't hesitate to bend the traditions standing in her way. She is also fortunate in her advisors. Sensing the betrayal, her father sent back his Force Commander, an older warrior renowned for his tactics. He also sent their finest warrior to protect Mara and she has the practical advice of her old nurse, who has an excellent grasp of tradition. But it is a stroke of luck that brings her the spymaster of a dead house who's Ruling Lord was said to have best information in the Empire and his network of spies has also sworn revenge against the Minwanabi for their Lord's death. Mara and the Acoma will make their first moves in the Game of the Council and have their revenge or die trying.

Daughter of the Empire is a beloved fantasy with exceptional world building and story telling. In contrast to the Dungeon and Dragons themed Riftwar Cycle, this is a concise and easily followed political and cultural drama. Magic keeps a low profile in this series, although has critical impact at certain points due to the events of the Riftwar. There are the Great Ones, supremely powerful wizards who's word is law, as well as the priests and priestesses of the gods, although those are revered more out of tradition than faith. One of the most interesting fantasy elements is the Choja, an insectoid race most similar to ants but taller than humans with their own complex civilization that is, in theory, enslaved to the humans. 

Originally published in 1987, Daughter of the Empire is now available in all formats. Reviews of Tania Rodrigues' narration of the audio version are very positive.