The Nameless City / Hicks, Faith Erin

Every time it is invaded the City gets a new name, but to the natives in is the Nameless City, and they survive by not letting themselves get involved, but now the fate of the City rests in the hands of Rat, a native, and Kaidu, one of the Dao, the latest occupiers, and the two must somehow work together if the City is to survive.

"The Nameless City--held by the rogue Dao prince Erzi--is under siege by a coalition of Dao and Yisun forces that are determined to end the war once and for all. And the people of the city--the 'Named'--are caught in between. Meanwhile, Rat and Kai must infiltrate Erzi's palace and steal back the ancient and deadly formula for napatha--the ancient weapon of mass destruction Erzie has unearthed--before he can use it to destroy everything they hold dear!"--Provided by publisher.

"The Nameless City--held by the rogue Dao prince Erzi--is under siege by a coalition of Dao and Yisun forces that are determined to end the war once and for all. And the people of the city--the 'Named'--are caught in between. Meanwhile, Rat and Kai must infiltrate Erzi's palace and steal back the ancient and deadly formula for napatha--the ancient weapon of mass destruction Erzie has unearthed--before he can use it to destroy everything they hold dear!"--Provided by publisher.

Rat, an orphaned street girl, lives in the city that has been conquered by the Dao who killed her parents. Thirteen-year-old Kaidu is the son of a Dao leader who just arrived in the city for military training. And though Rat initially hates Kaidu and everything he represents, the two become unlikely friends. And when an assassination plot unfolds, the future of the city depends on them working together.

"Kaidu and Rat are only just recovering from foiling the assassination attempt on the General of All Blades when conflict breaks loose again. Disputes and treachery are making it impossible for the Dao rulers to follow the diplomatic solution Kai's father has devised to give all peoples--not just the Dao--a say in the future of the Nameless City. Even more complicated, Rat may have the key to uncovering a vast weapon wielded by the mysterious founders of the City--a secret hidden long ago, and a secret Kai may be unable to keep. To reveal it would be to betray his friendship with Rat and his new home. But to betray the Dao may have dreadful consequences for everyone and everthing Kai and Rat both love..."--Back cover.

Every time it is invaded the City gets a new name, but to the natives in is the Nameless City, and they survive by not letting themselves get involved--but now the fate of the City rests in the hands of Rat, a native, and Kaidu, one of the Dao, the latest occupiers, and the two must somehow work together if the City is to survive.