Ascendant Sun is the direct sequel to the Nebula Award finalist The Last Hawk.
Kelric returns to Skolian space, only to find the Empire in control of the Allied forces of Earth, thanks to the upheaval of the Radiance War. With little more than the clothes on his back and with his family imprisoned by the Allieds, Kelric is forced to take work on a merchant vessel. But when that vessel enters Euban space, Kelric finds his worst nightmare realized: he is auctioned as a slave provider to the cruel Aristos, who subject slaves to torture and sex to provide their ultimate telepathic emotional drug.

Catherine Asaro grew up near Berkeley, California. She earned a Ph.D. in chemical physics and an M.A. in physics, both from Harvard, and a B.S. with highest honors in chemistry from UCLA. She runs Molecudyne Research and lives in Maryland with her husband and daughter.

Anna Fields has found her true home behind the microphone after beginning her career on the stage in Washington, D.C. She has garnered several AudioFile Earphones Awards and won the coveted Audie Award in 2004.