Fall of a Kingdom by Hilari Bell

This book sort of reminded me of the movie, The Eagle, in reverse.  Instead of a Roman army defeated by the native people and terrain of early Britain, the roman-like army of Hrum is conquering the countries surrounding the kingdom of Farsala.  The Hrum's success is due to superior organization, good military intelligence, and the promise of a new social order, one not based on birth or rank. The three main characters of the series have to decide if they want to have a chance at a new order or stick with the old one. Jiaan is the peasant born son of a Farsalan House Commander who can only aspire to be a standard bearer in his father's cavalry.  Kavi is an itinerant trader/con artist who was maimed by a supercilious Farsalan noble.  Soraya is Jiaan's noble half-sister who wants the freedom to do as she pleases. The Fall of a Kingdom introduces us to these characters and gives us a taste of the confrontation to come.  422 pages.