City of Kings

Well written, but doesnt really work as a standalone. A lot of questions arise: why is there an army following a former prostitute? How does she pay for that army? Why is everybody afraid of her? What the hell do they eat in a barren land and what supports them economically? Who are the blooded? And so on. A lot of things dont add up. Also, zombies? Again? Isnt the scifi already choke full of them, do we really need them in fantasy, too?