Fires of the Faithful
Naomi KritzerA Catholic-like religion called the Old Way is persecuted by organized goddess worship enforced by a formidable religious order, the Fedeli. Taking no prisoners, the Fedeli put the fear of the goddess into people by cold-bloodedly slaughtering "offenders" for the good, of course, of their immortal souls. Young Eliana is devoted to the craft of music. She and some classmates enjoy playing Old Way compositions in secret, and Eliana soon realizes she is drawn to the old beliefs. Then she discovers that the body of ruling mages--the Circle--is responsible for the war and famine her people suffer. Outraged, she flees the conservatory after the Fedeli murder her closest friend, an Old Way follower. Arriving in her home village, she finds it destroyed by soldiers and her family murdered. Devastated, Eliana lands in a prison camp, whose inmates crave a leader, which she becomes.