A Practical Guide to Evil

The Empire has ruled for twenty years. The Dread Empress crushed the Kingdom of Callow, but beneath the gilded peace, blades are sharpening. Wasteland nobles smile while plotting treason. Rebellion stirs beyond Peren Woods, where old crowns lie buried in shallow graves. To the west, the First Prince of Procer has finally restored order—and wonders if a crusade could cement her reign. But none of that matters. In the heart of the conquered lands, the most dangerous man alive sits across an orphan girl and offers her a knife. Her name is Catherine Foundling. And she has a plan.