Now, in Ascendant Sun, Kelric returns to Skolian space, only to find the Empire under the control of the Allied forces of Earth thanks to the upheaval of the Radiance War. With little more than the clothes on his back and his family imprisoned, Kelric finds his worst nightmare realized: he is auctioned as a slave "provider" to the cruel Aristos who subjects slaves to torture and sex to provide their ultimate telepathic emotional drug.

Ascendant Sun is an ambitious novel that showcases Catherine Asaro's unique ability to weave a web of romance, adventure, and hard science fiction.