A Confusion of Princes

A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix. Prince Khemri is born into a system where all Imperial Princes are treated as presumptive heirs to the Empire. Their natural abilities are enhanced psychically, mechanically, and biologically with the core elements of Imperial technology: Psitek, Mektek, and Bitek. Princes can read and communicate through thoughts; they also possess superhuman strength and can repair their own injuries. They need all of these capabilities to stay alive, because although any prince can theoretically become Emperor, all princes are also vulnerable to attack from their fellow princes (there are ten million of them) who are competing for the highest honors and powers when the current Emperor abdicates. Princes can and do die, and many are reborn if deemed worthy by the Imperial Mind. Princes never know their parents and [should] trust no one. A Confusion of Princes is Khemri's story of being thrown into this life and death struggle of princes after 16 years of being told he is special and deserves to be Emperor. He must draw on all of his training and powers to outwit and outfight other candidates, priests, assassins, and mysterious challenges devised by the current Imperial government. In the midst of this chaos he must also examine who he is, where he comes from, and what he believes. Loads of fun-recommended.