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Nijsha grew up in a desolate desert world of unbearable cruelty where having emotions is a crime punishable by death. She escapes, crossing the Jagged Edge into Anwar—a world of beauty and danger. Trained to be a warrior since she could walk, Nijsha finds it far easier to neutralize threats than to navigate the onslaught of new emotions and social interactions in this foreign land. She soon encounters Alec, a well-trained assassin on a mission to return an ancient scroll with an important prophecy to the monks at Nevia’s Temple. When Nijsha convinces Alec to serve as her guide, they embark on an epic journey across Anwar. Much to Alec’s dismay, they acquire an ever-increasing group of traveling companions as their journey continues, and Nijsha experiences the novelty of making friends. But Nijsha possesses secrets, a complex heritage, and an ancient paranormal ability that attracts danger and makes it difficult to differentiate friend from foe.
Told from a perspective alternating between the main characters, this first installment of The Twins of Blood and Sand series provides detailed backstories and sets the stage for an epic battle of good versus evil. Well-developed characters bring the story to life, leaving readers thoroughly invested in the unfolding plot. Larque perfectly captures Nijsha’s awe as she encounters the vibrancy of life beyond the desert for the first time. Readers can feel Nijsha’s frustration and confusion as she experiences and tries to identify new emotions such as guilt, gratitude, and attraction. The author delivers a highly entertaining tale filled with action-packed fight scenes and a diverse cast of creatures, including magic-wielding Vakesh mages, bull-headed Taurants, and trance-inducing Sylphs. The book offers readers a compelling fantasy of adventure, suspense, and budding romance that will leave them eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
A 2024 Eric Hoffer Book Award Category Finalist