In an ancient Indian kingdom, a poison maiden—trained to become the king’s assassin—is sent to stop the conqueror who would destroy her homeland.

Eka is only a child when she is taken from her mother and brought to the heart of the Magadh Empire. Adopted by the city’s foremost courtesan, she is trained in music and dance alongside her childhood friend Ira. But fate puts Eka and Ira on the path of the Vishkanya. They are inducted into the secret cult of a powerful goddess of snakes, initiated into the mysteries of poison and taught to wield its power over life and death.

When the king of Magadh hears that Alexander the Great is sweeping toward their lands, conquering as he goes, he sends Eka and Ira undercover to stop him, which they must do using only their cunning and poison arts. There, Eka must play a dangerous political game, all while her feelings for Ira surge into love. Raised to do the bidding of one king and faced with the terrible ambition of another, Eka must make a choice that will change the world. . . .

A stunning blend of historical and speculative fiction, The Poison Palace tells the story of Alexander’s invasion of India as it has never been told before.