Book 1

Unconquerable Sun

by Kate Elliott

Published 7 July 2020
'An entertaining shoot-'em-up, replete with epic starship battles, court intrigue and Machiavellian betrayals' Guardian
It has been eight centuries since the beacon system failed, sundering the heavens. Rising from the ashes of the collapse, cultures have fought, system-by-system, for control of the few remaining beacons. The Republic of Chaonia is one such polity. Surrounded by the Yele League and the vast Phene Empire, they have had to fight for their existence. After decades of conflict, Queen-Marshal Eirene has brought the Yele to heel.

Now it is time to deal with the Empire. Princess Sun, daughter and heir, has come of age.

In her first command, she drove a Phene garrison from the beacons of Na Iri – an impressive feat. But growing up in the shadow of her mother – a ruler both revered and feared – has been no easy task. While Sun may imagine that her victorious command will bring further opportunity to prove herself, it will in fact place her on the wrong side of court politics. There are those who would like to see Sun removed as heir, or better yet, dead. To survive, the princess must rely on her wits and companions: her biggest rival, her secret lover, and a dangerous prisoner of war.

Book 2

Furious Heaven

by Kate Elliott

Published 2 March 2023
The second book in The Sun Chronicles trilogy, a galactic-scale, gender-swapped space opera series inspired by the life of Alexander the Great.

Shrewd, brutal, relentless and patient, Queen-Marshal Eirene has led the Republic of Chaonia from the brink of annihilation to the edge of victory. One by one, her enemies have fallen in defeat, and now she is ready to push her battle-hardened fleets into territories long controlled by the mighty Phene Empire.

But her victories are not without cost. The Republic has endured decades of conflict, with factions simmering beneath the surface, waiting for their chance to boil.

The Phene know this.

While they might not be able to defeat the Queen-Marshal in open battle, there are other ways to strike back.
And on the eve of Eirene’s attack on the rich and populous Karnos System, they will.

In the aftermath, Eirene’s daughter, Princess Sun, will face her greatest challenge yet. Can she escape her mother’s shadow and forge her own legend, despite all that’s arrayed against her?

Reviews for the Sun Chronicles:
'Epic starship battles, court intrigue and Machiavellian betrayals' Guardian
'Enthralling, edge-of-your-seat stuff hurtling along at warp speed' Kirkus
'Not only is this action-packed with fascinating women characters, there is very inventive world-building and twisty turny political scheming' Book Riot
'Non-stop action! Space battles! Intrigue! This is the kind of space opera that I love best – but Elliott does it even better' Ann Leckie
'Breathtaking and mindblowingly good' Aliette de Bodard