Desolate. The Last Hartrum

Rizerdine Walton achieved the impossible: he freed the lyutenes and tamed living houses. His soulless creations, obedient as trained dogs, brought him fame, respect, and money. From now on, in Delmare, there are intelligent houses everywhere. The capital thrives on their resources, and local elites consider them a luxury and are willing to do anything to possess them. But one wrong decision by Rizerdine puts his entire enterprise at risk. Now he is an outcast, a non-human among the soulless. Allies come to his aid, but each pursues their own goal: a model houseographer saving his career, a rebellious lyuten, and one who dreams of freeing him. While some try to preserve the familiar world, others want to turn it into ruins.