The time of succession has come for King Leo, monarch of the desert kingdom of Ravence.With the neighboring Jantari threatening war and the radical group the Arohassin plotting regicide, the Ravence heir, Elena, will come into a lot of responsibility. Fortunately, Elena shows much promise; she has political acumen, dazzling wit, an unshakeable love for her people and the peoples' adoration in return. On nearly all accounts she is ready to assume the throne; she need only learn the magic of holding fire without burning to prove she is worthy of it. But her father will not teach her and might not have plans to step down after all, as he is shaken by the return of the Phoenix's prophet, who will destroy everything in the desert and all the nonbelievers. As if that's not enough for Elena to navigate and King Leo to ponder, enter ambitious political player Samson and retired Arohassin assassin Yassen, who each have motives of their own. The various points of view make it hard to know who is really pulling the strings, though one thing is clear: There is power in the burning flames of the desert fire and in the secrets held dear. This desert world is well developed, with the intricacies of a society, including religion, culture, and race, and the mythology of a phoenix rising supporting the themes of sacrifice, forgiveness, and resilience throughout each character's point of view. The story is at its best when characters are faced with the edges of identity, colliding loyalties, and the unpredictable landscape of life.Settle into the morally gray areas of a king's broken heart, an assassin's twisted mind, and a prophecy of destruction.

Verma’s ambitious science fantasy debut, originally self-published as The Boy with Fire, kicks off the Ravence trilogy, introducing readers to a vast and fascinating world on the brink of war. Elena Aadya, heir to the desert kingdom of Ravence, must master her ancestral fire magic before her impending coronation. Leo Malhari, her father and reigning Phoenix King, wields propaganda and force to maintain his rule. Assassin Yassen Knight, seeking redemption after fleeing a failed assignment, returns to Ravence, his mother’s homeland, to serve the royal family. As Elena clashes with her father, and Yassen proves to be more than he appears, the princess uncovers a dark, generation-spanning secret about the origins of fire magic and learns the steep cost of power. Artfully blending high tech sci-fi elements with a magic system drawn from Indian culture and myth, Verma’s worldbuilding encompasses a sense of rich history and complex social dynamics. A satisfying slow-burn romance only enhances the political machinations. This exciting fantasy promises good things from the series to come. Agent: Lucienne Diver, Knight Agency. (Aug.)