On the Precipice (New Caelus, #1)

Winner of the 2024 Readers’ Favorite Bronze Medal in Fiction - Thriller - Political.

Imperium, one of the most powerful societies in the universe, is on the brink of a generation-defining electoral cycle. Will Imperials continue to support the Expansionist Party, which favors annihilating their chief rival, the Core, through military measures, or will Imperials vote for the Affiliate Party, which favors weakening the Core through political pressure?

In Imperial society, Keepers are the top social class, and they control the government. At a given time, seven Keepers serve as Lord Regents, who are the joint rulers of Imperium, and each Lord Regent has a religious adviser—a Prophate—who is meant to offer them spiritual guidance. Some Prophates are content with their place in Imperial society, while others are more political, with ambitions that perhaps exceed their office . . .

Through strange circumstances, Raelynn Mabry, a recent graduate of the Keeper system, begins working for Levin Liston, the Lord Regent of Diplomacy and the leader of the Affiliate Party. Raelynn becomes embroiled in the political rivalry between Liston and Cyno Banner, the Lord Regent of War and Defense, the leader of the Expansionist Party, and the current Head of the Assembly. Liston is trying to negotiate an alliance with the Civitan, a power that has recently seceded from the Core, but this alliance is not exactly popular. Indeed, most Expansionists oppose it, as they question whether the Civitan, which had fought against Imperium during the decades-long Glass War, can be trusted.

As Liston's protégé, Raelynn helps him work with the Civitan, all while trying to navigate her new place in the world. As Imperium nears Election Day, choices are made, and alliances are drawn—or destroyed. The future of Imperium hangs in the balance, and the stakes have never been higher.