Deathstalker: Simon R. Green

Book I of Deathstalker. Her Imperial Majesty Lionstone XIV ruled the Empire with fear. From peasants to masters of the most powerful galactic families, all were subject to the queen's unpredictable decrees of outlawing and death. Owen Deathstalker, unwilling head of his clan, sought to avoid the perils of the Empire's warring factions but unexpectedly found a price on his head. He fled to Mistworld, where be began to build an unlikely force to topple the throne - a broken hero, an outlawed Hadenman, a thief and a bounty hunter. With their help, Deathstalker took the first step of a journey far more dangerous than that for which he had been destined at birth. Cover art by Donato Giancola.