In this thrilling sequel to The Gryphon King, old rivalries and new threats pull Bataar and Nohra into a swirling cauldron of gods, monsters and djinn. The second book in the sweeping Southwest Asian-inspired epic fantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of Godkiller and Shannon Chakraborty. With Bataar's campaign to conquer Dumakra victorious, he turns his eyes to Aglea in the north, where pagan berserkers rule over inhospitable marshes and ritualistically butcher unicorns. Prince Nassar and his entourage have also fled to Aglea to rally his supporters-taking the ghoulish variant of vermilrot they unearthed from the abandoned depths of Anhabar with them Nohra and Bataar are soon to be married. Nohra has not forgiven the rhah's sins against Kalafar or her family, but her thirst for vengeance wars with her feelings for Qaira, and her pragmatism: Bataar's supernatural gifts are increasingly powerful, and his hold on Dumakra more secure by the day. Serving him is now the only path Nohra can see that ends with her younger brother one day restored to Kalafar's throne. The power struggle between Bataar and Nassar fast becomes a swirling conflict of religions and gods: the Agleans revere Darya for her demonic powers; Nohra and Qaira are heralded as the two manifestations of Dumakra's Goddess; and Bataar is the walking embodiment of his people's Preeminent spirit. In this febrile atmosphere, the ghoul sickness is spreading rapidly, and monsters continue to encroach on human towns, causing violence and dismay. The war-and the world-hangs in the balance. Just one wrong move could tip everything into chaos.

Sara Omer is a Pushcart Prize-nominated short story writer. She's been a technical editor for medical and engineering publications and is now pursuing teaching. You can find her (sometimes unsettling) poetry and prose in places like The Dark, PodCastle, Small Wonders, and Strange Horizons. The Gryphon King is loosely inspired by history and culture shared by her Turkic and Kurdish family.