By Heresies Distressed [Hardcover]

"A superb cast of characters and plenty of action... This fine book gives new luster to Weber's reputation." - Booklist (starred review) on BY SCHISM RENT ASUNDER." --Booklist

The Kingdom of Charis and the Kingdom of Chisholm have joined together, pledged to stand against the tyranny of a corrupt Church. The youthful Queen Sharleyan of Chisholm has wed King Cayleb of Charis, forging a single dynasty, a single empire, dedicated to the defense of human freedom. Crowned Empress of that empire, Sharleyan has found in Cayleb's arms the love she never dared hope for in a 'marriage of state'. In Cayleb's cause, his defiance of the ruthless Group of Four who govern mother Church, she has found the task to which she can commit her mind and her courage. It is a cause for which she was born. Yet there are things Sharleyan still does not know. Secrets Cayleb has not been permitted to share, even with her. Secrets like the true story of humanity on Safehold. Like the intricate web of lies, deception, and fabricated 'religion' which have chained humanity for almost a thousand years. Like the existence of the genocidal alien Gbaba, waiting to complete mankind's destruction should humans ever attract their attention once more. Like the existence of a young woman, Nimue Alban, nine hundred years dead, whose heart, mind, and memories live on within the android body of the warrior-monk she knows as Merlin. And so Empress Sharleyan faces the the great challenge of her life unaware of all that task truly entails...or of how the secrets the man who loves her cannot share may threaten all they have achieved between them...and her own life.

The battle for the soul of Safehold has begun. Charis and Chisholm have joined together, pledged to stand against the tyranny of a corrupt Church. The youthful Queen Sharleyan of Chisholm has wed King Cayleb of Charis, forging a single empire dedicated to the defence of human freedom. Crowned Empress of that empire, Sharleyan has found with Cayleb the love she never dared hope for in a ‘marriage of state’. And in Cayleb’s cause – his defiance of the ruthless Group of Four who govern the Church – she has found the task to which she can commit her mind, her courage, and her life. Yet there are things Sharleyan does not know, secrets Cayleb has not been permitted to share, even with his beloved wife. Secrets like the true history of humanity on Safehold. Like the intricate web of lies, deception, and fabricated ‘religion’ which have chained humanity for almost a thousand years. And so Empress Sharleyan faces the great challenge of her life unaware of all that task truly entails . . . and of how the secrets Cayleb cannot share may threaten all they have achieved. And may threaten her life itself. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

David Mark Weber is an American science fiction and fantasy author whose most popular and enduring character, Honor Harrington, has been developed through 13 novels and four shared-universe anthologies. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.