A Confusion of Princes

A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix, 2012 Allen & Unwin

     Khemri is a Prince in a futuristic universe where the human race has spread across galaxies and become well-versed in different teks. The Empire is ruled by Princes who, in turn, are ruled by the Emperor. Princes are endowed with special abilities, but Khemri is different and he is telling his story.
     Upon becoming a Prince, rather than Prince Candidate, Khemri faces almost immediate assassination attempts. His Master of Assassins leads him from the danger and escorts the Prince to a naval base where he may connect to the Imperial Mind and be recorded--and reborn if necessary. Khemri has been elevated at a unique and delicate time, only two years before the change of Emperor, and must learn that all he has been taught is nearly completely wrong.
     Learning to survive becomes Khemri's goal and, after much conflict, he does well as a Cadet at the naval academy. Upon graduation he is offered a position in a distant solar system where he discovers a secret society governing Princes. While following his dream, hoping to become the next Emperor, Khemri discovers how truly trapped Princes are--their very hopes and dreams are programmed into them to facilitate the continuation of the Empire and its systems of power. But Khemri also learns what it is to be human, and in his final moments he must make a choice--will he become what he has always wished to be, or will he become what he knows he is meant to be?
     A Confusion of Princes takes a hard look at what it means to be human and what creates humanity. Teens and young adults will enjoy its quick writing and open style while following the imagination that created such an expansive culture.