Shen Tai, son of a general in service to the Emperor of Kitai, has spent the last two years burying the bones of the dead on his father’s last battlefield. A messenger arrives, telling Tai that a mysterious gift awaits him in the capital: 250 of the rare and famed Sardian horses. The gift must be claimed in person. What follows is exquisitely written historical fantasy with a complex plot, great characters, and a fascinating world. Kay was inspired by Chinese poetry from the Tang dynasty, and his lyrical writing style and subtle dialogue match the setting perfectly. If you have never read Gay Gavriel Kay, this is definitely a great place to start.