Scorpica by G.R. Macallister

​A world where the five kingdoms are ruled by fierce and savvy women.  A world where women seek pleasure from men and women without remorse or commitment, where boy babies are taken to the orphan tree and girl babies are celebrated and destined to wield magic and become strong warriors.  The five kingdoms have existed for as long as anyone can remember following the same traditions but now they are in a  decade long drought where no female babies have been born and politics are shifting.  A mix of Amazon women in a GAME OF THRONES or WHEEL OF TIME setting, Macallister presents a rich mystical landscape filled with violence, court politics and magic.  The first in a series and a huge departure from her past historical mysteries this is a fresh voice in the female-centric fantasy genre .
She excels at dark mysterious characters who always hold a bit of themselves back and this is evident in SCORPICA as well as great storytelling.  4 stars