In A Nest of All Kinds by Michael C. Reid, after the sudden deaths of Emperor Tarkhuin and their infant Arnza Tarkhuinal Zel-Rasnas, Empress Anastasia Doukhas is named regent over the Tarkhuinal Empire. While governing a city on the verge of unrest, she learns that her son’s death may not have been natural and begins a private inquiry that places her at odds with the Temple, the court, and members of the ruling family. As rumors spread through the streets and factions maneuver for control, Anastasia relies on her own judgment while navigating the volatile presence of the imperial twins Rhaske and Khaile Tarkhuinal Zel-Rasnas, the ambitions of her father Andronikos Doukhas, and the influence of religious authorities who claim knowledge of destiny. Her search for truth unfolds alongside a fragile regency whose survival depends on what remains hidden.

Michael C. Reid’s A Nest of All Kinds is an imperial fantasy and a sweeping epic, leaning into meticulously detailed social systems and embodied belief. Its fantasy elements function through divine physiology and sanctioned ritual, most strikingly in the godmirror chamber, where blood interacts with sacred architecture in ways witnesses can see and interpret as law. Empress Anastasia is a powerhouse protagonist surrounded by equally brilliant characters, all fully fleshed out in their own right. Tatiana Ingvarsdottir is a favorite of mine, willing to confront the Temple chirurgeon and her subsequent actions that reshape her role inside the imperium. The settings are rich and cinematic, rooted in places like the Hieron of the Eternal, where elevation, mirrored stone, and ritual light frame a moment of collective reckoning beyond court walls. As a reader, starting a new series is always a gamble given the time and emotional commitment we invest, but without question, this is a saga worth every delicious moment. Very highly recommended.

In A Nest of All Kinds by Michael C. Reid, the Rasnaian Imperium is thrust into a state of uncertainty when Emperor Tarkhuin dies following a misfiring of his most potent weapon of war. Instead of a seamless transfer of power, intrigue becomes the new order as someone kills the queen consort Anastasia Zel-Rasnas’s son, before she is named Empress-Regent. Meanwhile, her ten-year-old twin stepsons have always been the heirs, so she is appointed regent, regardless. She will rule until the twins are old enough, even though the Empire faces an increasing threat from the Shahdoms and rival factions seek mastery over the state. But ruling isn’t her priority for now, as Anastasia turns to shady allies to investigate baby Arnza’s death. However, the longer Empress Anastasia follows the trail of her son’s killer, the closer she gets to the palace. Will she be able to handle the truth, or will the Empire burn under her rule?

This is an elaborate tale of political upheaval, conspiracy, and pain that leaves you raging for vengeance. It is stuffed with linguistic, cultural, and gory battle details reminiscent of the Byzantine Roman Empire in all its glory. When I saw the map of the Rasnaian Imperium, I knew that I was about to be thoroughly entertained. And I was—the courtroom drama, plot twists, and fight scenes proved to be truly epic. A Nest of All Kinds by Michael C. Reid is just the first book in the Princes of the Thrice-Nine series, but the plot and character development are as good as any saga in the epic and historical fiction genres. From the chapter titles and linguistic guide to the professional editing, it is evident that Reid brings meticulousness into his storytelling. Read A Nest of All Kinds if you like epic stories with intrigue, mystery, and history.

After the recent demise of Emperor Tarkhuin IX of the Rasnaian Imperium, the future of the Dowager-Empress Anastasia and her family, House Doukhas, at the palace was uncertain. Despite the animosity she faces, Anastasia manages to be installed as Empress-Regent of Tarkhuin’s young twin sons, Emperors Khaile and Rhaske. While Anastasia’s ever-scheming, power-hungry father, the Grand Chancellor Andronikos Doukhas, sees this as a win, no one can ignore the widespread public unrest and deep divide among the elites. As the Empress-Regent assumes her role and interacts with the two young emperors and her subjects, she is about to uncover a shocking truth involving the death of her son, a ring, a prophecy, a curse within the imperial family, and an insidious plot. Find out how it all goes down in A Nest of All Kinds: Jewels of the House Divine by Michael C. Reid.

If you are looking for a gripping, dark, epic fantasy featuring high-stakes drama, political intrigue, adventure, action, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and jaw-dropping plot twists, A Nest of All Kinds by Michael C. Reid is a must-read. I always enjoy tales about ancient civilizations, and Reid introduces the compelling idea that the Etruscan civilization lived through the cosmopolitan culture of the Byzantine Roman Empire between 330 AD and 1453 AD. From the profound depth of lore and intricacy of the prose, it is clear that extensive research went into bringing the intriguing society of the Rasnaian Imperium to life. The cinematic depictions made me feel as if I were next to the characters in every scene. I could see the palace, arena, and marketplace, and feel the energy associated with each as the cast navigated volatile relationships, political dilemmas, betrayal, secrets, deceit, and more. Fans of Game of Thrones and movies like Gladiator will love this read. This is an incredible debut in The Princes of the Thrice-Nine Series. I loved it. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next installment.

In A Nest of All Kinds: Jewels of the House Divine by Michael C. Reid, Empress Anastasia is grief-stricken by the untimely and mysterious deaths of her husband and infant son. She must also assume responsibility for all inherited rights and properties and her husband’s twin heirs, Khaile and Rhaske Zel-Rasnas, until they come of age. After her son’s choking death, she discovers deep secrets and political maneuvering in the court. There are factions and questions about succession, and rumors of treason spreading through Nova Arkhaepolis. Anastasia must tread carefully in a world where every ally can be an enemy. She gets help from unlikely allies, and as she peels back each layer of conspiracies, she is about to uncover one of the most devastating secrets that will shake the very foundations of the empire.

Michael C. Reid creates a world filled with intriguing details. The capital, Nova Arkhaepolis, offers a perfect backdrop for an empire that stretches across fourteen islands. The narrative is fascinating in how it handles the corrupting effects of power. There are stabbings in the back, attempts to murder the legitimate successors, and the use of poisons and drowning. Vengeance fuels the actions and decisions of the Empress, and the author handles this cleverly. The characters are elaborately drawn, with Anastasia towering above them all. I enjoyed the way the author contrasts Rhaske's martial pragmatism with Khaile's philosophical gentleness. There are also minor characters that I enjoyed, such as the shieldmaiden Tatiana and the mysterious, blind matriarch Laraniia-Araziia; these characters are colorfully drawn, and they anchor some of the strong plot points. A Nest of All Kinds is an engaging story for fans of fantasy.