"Gyokuei, who first arrived at the Inner Chambers as a young novitiate monk, has risen to become one of the shogun Tsunayoshi's advisors. He hopes to protect the shogunate the same way his mentor Arikoto once did. But the numerous intrigues of the Inner Chambers--and the shogun herself--are pushing Gyokuei's patience and cunning to the breaking point."--P. [4] of cover.

The young female shogun Iemitsu tries desperately to conceive a male heir, but her lover Arikoto seems unable to give her a child. Meanwhile, the Redface Pox continues its ruthless progress through Japan, leaving famine, despair, and the threat of anarchy in its wake.

Shirayuki is an herbalist famous for her naturally bright-red hair, and the prince of Tanbarun wants her all to himself! The prince from the neighboring kingdom, Zen, rescues her from her plight, and thus begins their love story... After putting an end to the disease that was ravaging Lilias, Shirayuki returns home with Zen and the others. But on their next day off, they embark on a new adventure--a date! Meanwhile, Mitsuhide is furious to learn that...

"Curious about why female lords must take on male names, the shogun Yoshimune seeks out the ancient scribe Murase and his archives of the last eighty years of the Inner Chambers--called the Chronicle of the Dying Day. In its pages Yoshimune discovers the coming of the Redface Pox, the death of the last male shogun, and the birth of a new Japan."--P. [4] of cover.

"What level of threat do the Whisperers pose to the communities' safety? Carl's not waiting around to find out. Also the return of Michonne." ----- amazon