Ehsan Ahmad Libri

Once a paradise, the primitive forest planet of Corvos has been conquered and enslaved by an interstellar empire. But not quite all of its native peoples have given up hope of freedom. In the depths of Mine Three, a fierce young slave named Cerrin prays every day to the god of battle for a chance—any chance—to strike her enemies. But the soldiers in their armored combat shells are beyond untouchable. Their technology seems almost magical. Their cruelty, limitless. But Cerrin knows nothing of the events in motion far above her head, in orbit above her planet. An aging military captain is greeting his new civilian commander—a vicious nobleman with ambitious plans for this backwater world. And with this new evil comes unexpected hope.At last, the uprising begins.

Once kindled, the flames of hope are not easily extinguished. No longer bound to a life of forced labor in the enemy's mines, Cerrin leads a small band of escaped slaves in search of a new home in the ancient forest where she was born. But freedom is not the same as victory. And death is never far behind. Soldiers of an advanced and ruthless empire are forever at their heels. Leading the pursuit is Count Talazeer, a vicious nobleman driven by a personal vendetta against Cerrin... and a desperate need for redemption in the eyes of his family and his people. Each day of survival is a victory. Turning to fight their enemy remains an impossible dream. And yet, even as death claims them one by one, the former slaves hold fast to faith in their gods and, above all, in Cerrin. And now, Cerrin will discover strange new allies--and enemies--are waiting for her people amidst the forest and beyond the stars. allies--and enemies--are waiting for her people amid the trees and beyond the stars. "Solid... fans of the first entry will be pleased." -Publishers Weekly