The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom, #1)

In The Bridge Kingdom, two large continents are connected by a long, winding, sea-defying bridge owned by the kingdom of Ithicana, a seafaring, neutral nation that oversees the international trade between both continents. In the northern continent are the kingdoms of Harendell (known for its great universities, wealth, and steel) and Amarid (a warring, mountainous country that perpetually seeks to claim the bridge). The southern continent consists of the kingdom of Maridrina, which is mostly consumed by the Red Desert; the empire of Valcotta, with whom Ithicana has a long-standing friendship; and Maridrina, with whom Ithicana has a long-standing war. Finally, there is the kingdom of Teraford, which is known for its lush forests.

All five kingdoms vie for possession of the bridge, for the nation that controls the bridge gains immeasurable wealth and also controls the world’s economy. As a result, Ithicana has closed its borders and is now a mysterious country that denies entry to all but certain merchants who have permission to sell their wares on the bridge. Shrouded in secrecy, the bridge kingdom uses its intelligence network and heavy defenses to protect against natural forces, routine raiders from Amarid, and Maridrinian spies. Bracketed by the untamable Tempest Seas, the other nations have no choice but to cooperate with Ithicana in order to ensure the ongoing exchange of goods. This critical balance of power fuels political tensions and frequent calls for war. Jensen uses this geopolitical tension to explain Lara’s initial motivation to betray Aren; the nature of Ithicana’s privileged position in trade suggests that Aren and his people abuse their position and exploit the other nations—and Maridrina specifically. However, as the novel unfolds, the political realities prove to be quite different from this initial assumption.