Set in a Jewish folklore-inspired reimagining of 19th century Eastern Europe, this LGBTQ+ dark fantasy debut pits two estranged husbands and a daring spymaster on opposite sides of a civil war. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, C.S. Pacat, and readers who love deliciously queer, spicy fantasy. Two men. One cursed crown. And a love that could burn an empire to the ground. Dimitri Alexeyev used to be the Tzar of Novo-Svitsevo. Now, he is merely a broken man, languishing in exile after losing a devastating civil war instigated by his estranged husband, Alexey Balakin. In hiding with what remains of his court, Dimitri and his spymaster, Vasily Sokolov, engineer a dangerous ruse. Vasily will sneak into Alexey’s court under a false identity to gather information, paving the way for the usurper’s downfall, while Dimitri finds a way to kill him for good. But stopping Alexey is not so easy as plotting to kill an ordinary man. Through a perversion of the Ludayzim religion that he terms the Holy Science, Alexey has died and resurrected himself in an immortal, indestructible body—and now claims he is guided by the voice of God Himself. Able to summon forth creatures from the realm of demons, he seeks to build an army, turning Novo-Svitsevo into the greatest empire that history has ever seen. Dimitri is determined not to let Alexey corrupt his country, but saving Novo-Svitsevo and its people will mean forfeiting the soul of the husband he can’t bring himself to forsake—or the spymaster he’s come to love.

'A proper lovely romance, and a fabulous spirit-lifter' Ruth Jones 'Heart-warming and believable. This is Miranda Dickinson at her very best' Sarah Morgan 'The Start of Something is a wonderfully romantic story about the healing powers of love. Gentle and romantic, a wonderful salve for the soul, it is a charming joy of a read' Milly Johnson 'Miranda is such a big-hearted, generous writer, full of warmth and love' Jenny Colgan * * * Two lonely people. One note in the window. And what happens when they reach out... Lachlan Wallace is stuck at home after a car accident stalled his army career. With months of physiotherapy still to endure and only his rescue dog and cat for company, he's taken to gazing out of the window, watching the world spin on without him. And then he notices a vase of flowers on the windowsill of the apartment opposite his. Drawn to their hope and colour, he decides to reach out and sticks a message in his window... Bethan Gwynne is a stranger in a new town. Bringing up her son Noah by herself, she is slowly rebuilding her life, but loneliness is one obstacle she has yet to overcome. She's intrigued by a glimpse of her neighbour in the apartment across from hers - and then, one evening, she sees a message in his window just for her: WHAT ARE THOSE FLOWERS CALLED? And so begins a love story of two people reaching out, daring to trust a stranger... * * * Authors and reviewers have fallen in love with The Start of Something: 'Charming, quirky and properly romantic' Mike Gayle, bestselling author of All the Lonely People 'A truly heart-warming novel about hope, loneliness and the power of reaching out. Bethan and Lachlan's story will move anyone who's ever taken a chance on love. A magical read' Holly Miller, bestselling author of The Sight of You 'A story about love, fear, trust; this is a big warmhearted hug of a book' Nina Pottell, Prima

“A riveting tale about war, intrigue, love, and perseverance.” —John Grisham “Absorbing...Unfolds like a detective novel...The story barrels ahead urgently...Duty, anger, sorrow, conscience and even hope mix together to form the novel’s bracingly intimate ending.” —The Wall Street Journal “What if not two but three atomic bombs wound up in the Pacific theater?...Hawley’s impeccably detailed narrative offers an unnerving fictional answer...The novel’s tension mounts in highly cinematic fashion, despite our awareness of what the history books tell us.” —The New York Times A sweeping and suspenseful novel of love and war, set in Japan during the final days of World War II, with a shocking historical premise: three atomic bombs were actually delivered to the Pacific—not two—and when one of them falls into the hands of the Japanese, the fate of a couple that has been separated from one another becomes entangled with the fate of this terrifying new device. War has taken everything from physicist Keizo Kan. His young daughter was killed in the Great Tokyo Air Raid, and now his Japanese American wife, Noriko, has been imprisoned by the brutal Thought Police. An American bomber, downed over Japan on the first day of August 1945, offers the scientist a surprising chance at salvation. The Imperial Army dispatches him to examine an unusual device recovered from the plane’s wreckage—a bomb containing uranium—and tells him that if he can unlock its mysteries, his wife will be released. Working in secrecy under crushing pressure, Kan begins to disassemble the bomb and study its components. One of his assistants falls ill after mishandling the uranium, but his alarming deterioration, and Kan’s own symptoms, are ignored by the commanding officer demanding results. Desperate to stave off Japan’s surrender to the Allies, the army will stop at nothing to harness the weapon’s unimaginable power. They order Kan to prepare the bomb for manual detonation over a target—a suicide mission that will strike a devastating blow against the Americans. Kan is soon confronted with a series of agonizing decisions that will test his courage, his loyalty, and his very humanity. An extraordinary debut novel that is the result of twenty-seven years of work by its author, Daikon is a gripping and powerfully moving saga that calls to mind such classics as Cold Mountain. It is set amid the chaos and despair of the world’s third largest city lying in ruins, its population starving and its leadership under escalating assault from without and within. Here is a haunting epic of love, survival, and impossible choices that introduces a singular new voice on the literary landscape.

In Paracord!, you'll find step-by-step instructions to take you through every project. Each step is accompanied by a color photo that clearly illustrates the process. Todd Mikkelsen's Paracord! offers a diverse collection of projects that utilize parachute cords—known around the world as paracord. Used by paratroopers and other military personnel during World War II, this lightweight nylon rope is now one of the most sought-after materials by crafters. Its durability and flexibility make it perfect for creating everyday accessories such as belts, bracelets, buckles, necklaces, dog leashes and collars, key chains, and more. Projects include: Two-Color Solomon Bar Bracelet Shark Jaw Bone Bracelit Locked Half Hitch Bracelet West Country Whipping Inverted Bracelet Genoese Quick Deploy Strap Zipper Quick Deploy Sinnet Three-VBord Braid Necklace with Breakaway Clasmps ID Lanyard And many more. As you will see, this rope comes in various colors, from army green to hot pink, making it easy to personalize every type of project. Mikkelsen includes introductory chapters preparing your paracord for crafting, tying different types of knots, and caring for and cleaning your completed paracord projects.

From a helicopter high above the empty California desert, a man is sent free-falling into the night.... In Chicago, a woman learns that an elite team of ex-army investigators is being hunted down one by one.... And on the streets of Portland, Jack Reacher—soldier; cop, hero—is pulled out of his wandering life by a code that few other people could understand. From the first shocking scenes in Lee Child's explosive new novel, Jack Reacher is plunged like a knife into the heart of a conspiracy that is killing old friends...and is on its way to something even worse. A decade postmilitary, Reacher has an ATM card and the clothes on his back—no phone, no ties, and no address. But now a woman from his old unit has done the impossible. From Chicago, Frances Neagley finds Reacher, using a signal only the eight members of their elite team of army investigators would know. She tells him a terrifying story—about the brutal death of a man they both served with. Soon Reacher is reuniting with the survivors of his old team, scrambling to raise the living, bury the dead, and connect the dots in a mystery that is growing darker by the day. The deeper they dig, the more they don't know: about two other comrades who have suddenly gone missing—and a trail that leads into the neon of Vegas and the darkness of international terrorism. For now, Reacher can only react. To every sound. Every suspicion. Every scent and every moment. Then Reacher will trust the people he once trusted with his life—and take this thing all the way to the end. Because in a world of bad luck and trouble, when someone targets Jack Reacher and his team, they'd better be ready for what comes right back at them...

Althea Embervale has two missions: rescue the love of her life, and save the world from a dark destiny. The infamous Scarlet Tower holds Wilder hostage and Thea will do anything to set him free. Will her storm magic and help of the legendary Shadow Prince be enough? Or will she arrive too late? Meanwhile, the time has come to make one last stand against the forces of cursed men and monsters. But Thea's enemies are only getting stronger. With allies divided and an outnumbered army, she must race against her own fate to secure the future of the midrealms--or die trying. A prophecy is looming, and Thea's life is in the balance. Does she have the power to cheat death itself? Love and loyalty will be tested. Bonds will fracture forever. But all must fight for a better world. In the final war for survival, will Thea and Wilder emerge victorious? Or will the shadows consume them at last?

Master Sergeant Roman Keane is six hours and one last salute from retirement. After twenty-three years and three combat tours with the 75th Ranger Regiment, he's got a Silver Star, a titanium knee and a plan to see America on his Road King motorcycle. No more patrols, no more firefights. Nothing more dangerous than passing the old work van rumbling along in front of him as he rides toward Hunter-Stewart and the sunset of his career in the Army. But just as he twists the throttle to pass, a woman's bare foot smears a bloody print on the van's back window. Roman turns back to help, triggering a chain of events that puts his brother Virgil and two old friends in the crosshairs of a murderer. Saving them sends Roman on a desperate ride from Savannah to DC, where he discovers that the past he has been trying to forget has not forgotten him. It's been waiting patiently, holding his secret like a time bomb.

Karissa Kinword is back with the second raunchy romcom in her bestselling Dirty Delta series, following a sex-working cam couple as they attempt to plan a wedding while keeping their racy alter-egos a secret from two over-involved families. On the surface, Mateo Duran and Natalia Russo are the perfect All-American pair. He's a handsome business owning Army veteran from the Bronx. She's a quirky bank teller at their local branch in Pompano Beach. They own a modest home, pay their taxes, wave at their neighbors, and the happiest day of their lives was their engagement last Christmas. But after normal business hours, fans and paying subscribers log on to watch them as a prolific, top earning, sex-cam couple climbing the ladder of the adult film industry with every frisky fulfilled request. When Mateo's parents surprise them with an extended visit to aide in the wedding planning just as their risque secret career is hitting a peak, the airtight foundation and smooth sailing business model takes a massive, unplanned hit. Their usual nights of content filming are replaced with failed attempts at family bonding, mediating a rag tag wedding party of scorned siblings, and sneaking in an overdue romp between loads of laundry. They quickly realize the perfect bubble their relationship was built inside might not survive the merging of two meddling families. Falling in love was the easy part of their story, choosing each other when the going gets tough is going to be much, much harder.

A powerful, layered weaving of myth, prose and pure imagination - The Ships of Merior continues an epic fantasy series perfect for enthusiasts of The Dark Tower and Earthsea. The second volume of Janny Wurts's incomparable series following Arithon and Lysaer, two brothers forced to take opposite sides in a relentless conflict. After defeating the malevolent fog that blighted Athera, Arithon and Lysaer battle the throes of the Mistwraith's insidious retribution: a curse set upon them at their moment of triumph compels them each to seek the other's downfall. Lysaer, the charming and charismatic Lord of Light, drives his brother out of hiding and hounds Arithon with a massive army at his command. Meanwhile Arithon, Master of Shadow, the sensitive mage who prefers music to violence, must take to the seas to evade capture and strike back against Lysaer's mighty war host. Locked into lifelong enmity, the brothers' pursuit of each other's destruction will test the foundations of human morailty, even as threat to the world's deepest magic rides on the outcome. THE SHIPS OF MERIOR weaves a rich and complicated tapestry, bringing readers deeper into the mystical world of Athera. Striking a balance between epic scope and intricate subtlety, the Wars of Light and Shadow is a must-read series for readers of intelligent fantasy.

**LONGLISTED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL BOOKER PRIZE 2026** **Winner of the National Book Award for Translated Literature** A sumptuous and surreal historical reimagining of one of South America's best-known trans men, Antonio de Erauso 'Playful and devastating, tender and enraging' INTERNATIONAL BOOKER JUDGES, 2026 'Luminous' SAMANTA SCHWEBLIN 'Bold and compassionate' Financial Times From deep in the wilds of the New World, Antonio de Erauso writes a letter to his aunt, the prioress of the convent he escaped as a young girl. Since leaving his past behind, he's become Antonio, conquistador. Now, hiding in the jungle and hounded by the army he deserted, Antonio is caring for two Guaraní girls he rescued from enslavement. But the New World has one more metamorphosis in store, which might save them all from extinction. Tender and surreal, We Are Green and Trembling conveys glimmers of hope for the future within the brutal colonial history of Latin America, finding in the rainforest a magical space for transformation. 'Profoundly resonant... the power of storytelling to reclaim what history tries to erase' Chicago Review of Books 'Sensuous and searing - a queer anticolonial picaresque' Publishers Weekly 'Gabriela Cabezón Cámara's writing is singular in the Spanish language' FERNANDA MELCHOR Translated by Robin Myers

Deep in the wilds of the New World, Antonio de Erauso begins to write a letter to his aunt, the prioress of the Basque convent he escaped as a young girl. Since fleeing a dead-end life as a nun, he's become Antonio and undertaken monumental adventures: he has been a mule driver, shopkeeper, soldier, cabin boy, and conquistador; he has wielded his sword and slashed with his dagger. Now, caring for two Guaraní girls he rescued from enslavement, and hounded by the army he deserted, this protean protagonist contemplates one more metamorphosis, which just might save the new world from extinction... Based on the life of Antonio de Erauso, a real figure of the Spanish conquest, We Are Green and Trembling is a queer baroque satire and a historical novel that blends elements of the picaresque with surreal storytelling. Its rich and wildly imaginative language forms a searing criticism of conquest and colonialism, religious tyranny, and the treatment of women and indigenous people. It is a masterful subversion of Latin American history with a trans character at its center, finding in the rainforest a magical, surreal space where transformation is not only possible but necessary.

Bloomsbury presents The Jacobite Rebellion by Gregory Fremont-Barnes, read by Ric Jerrom. This is an accessible, fully updated introduction to one of history's most heavily romanticized and mythologized campaigns. Dr Gregory Fremont-Barnes presents a detailed overview of the Forty-five Rebellion, dispelling the myths that have grown up around battles like Culloden and the figures of the Highlanders. Led by the charismatic Bonnie Prince Charlie and fought in the main by clansmen loyal to the Stuarts, the revolt initially saw government forces outmanoeuvred and outfought before the Prince's march on London halted at Derby. But the following spring, pursued back into the Highlands by the Duke of Cumberland, the Prince's army made its doomed last stand on the moor of Culloden. Fremont-Barnes examines this key turning point in British history, analysing the dynastic struggle of two royal houses, the Rebellion's manoeuvres and battles and the tragic aftermath for the Highlands. Updated and revised for the new edition, this is an accessible introduction to the famous campaign which saw the Stuart dynasty's final attempt to regain the British throne, and the end of the Highland clans' way of life.

Set in a Jewish folklore-inspired reimagining of 19th century Eastern Europe, this LGBTQ+ dark fantasy debut pits two estranged husbands and a daring spymaster on opposite sides of a civil war. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, C.S. Pacat, and readers who love deliciously queer, spicy fantasy. Two men. One cursed crown. And a love that could burn an empire to the ground. Dimitri Alexeyev used to be the Tzar of Novo-Svitsevo. Now, he is merely a broken man, languishing in exile after losing a devastating civil war instigated by his estranged husband, Alexey Balakin. In hiding with what remains of his court, Dimitri and his spymaster, Vasily Sokolov, engineer a dangerous ruse. Vasily will sneak into Alexey’s court under a false identity to gather information, paving the way for the usurper’s downfall, while Dimitri finds a way to kill him for good. But stopping Alexey is not so easy as plotting to kill an ordinary man. Through a perversion of the Ludayzim religion that he terms the Holy Science, Alexey has died and resurrected himself in an immortal, indestructible body—and now claims he is guided by the voice of God Himself. Able to summon forth creatures from the realm of demons, he seeks to build an army, turning Novo-Svitsevo into the greatest empire that history has ever seen. Dimitri is determined not to let Alexey corrupt his country, but saving Novo-Svitsevo and its people will mean forfeiting the soul of the husband he can’t bring himself to forsake—or the spymaster he’s come to love.

“A scorchingly brilliant, wildly funny, and deeply moving epic.” —John Green, #1 globally bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars Two unlikely heroes embark on quests to win God’s favor in this outrageously entertaining, profoundly heartfelt novel that announces an ingenious new voice in the tradition of Chain-Gang All-Stars, No One Is Talking About This, and Martyr! Yara can’t comprehend why God has chosen them to slay Dominic, the ruthless leader of the army of Bad Guys. Cast out by their family and reeling from a destructive relationship, Yara has never felt weaker—but with nothing left to lose, they strike a deal. Abandoning their solitary days of embroidery and obsessive cleaning, Yara reluctantly embarks on a perilous odyssey designed to prepare them for the daunting mission ahead. Meanwhile, Adrena, a disillusioned prophet with a terrifying secret power, is determined to become the hero of this story. Desperately seeking the glory of God’s approval and the promise of heaven, where she hopes to reunite with her beloved mother, Adrena must first persuade Harpo, the leader of the Good Guys, that her plan is God’s will. As their journeys unfold in a series of unforgettable adventures, Yara and Adrena are propelled toward each other and transformative revelations about life, death, and destiny in this intensely captivating, irreverent epic from a singularly brilliant new voice in fiction.

"A scorchingly brilliant, wildly funny, and deeply moving epic." -John Green, #1 globally bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars Two unlikely heroes embark on quests to win God's favor in this outrageously entertaining, profoundly heartfelt novel that announces an ingenious new voice in the tradition of Chain-Gang All-Stars, No One Is Talking About This, and Martyr! Yara can't comprehend why God has chosen them to slay Dominic, the ruthless leader of the army of Bad Guys. Cast out by their family and reeling from a destructive relationship, Yara has never felt weaker-but with nothing left to lose, they strike a deal. Abandoning their solitary days of embroidery and obsessive cleaning, Yara reluctantly embarks on a perilous odyssey designed to prepare them for the daunting mission ahead. Meanwhile, Adrena, a disillusioned prophet with a terrifying secret power, is determined to become the hero of this story. Desperately seeking the glory of God's approval and the promise of heaven, where she hopes to reunite with her beloved mother, Adrena must first persuade Harpo, the leader of the Good Guys, that her plan is God's will. As their journeys unfold in a series of unforgettable adventures, Yara and Adrena are propelled toward each other and transformative revelations about life, death, and destiny in this intensely captivating, irreverent epic from a singularly brilliant new voice in fiction.

In this gripping World War II historical about the power of words, two people form an unlikely friendship amid the Nazi occupation in Paris and fight to preserve the truth that enemies of freedom long to destroy. Paris, 1940. Ever since the Nazi Party began burning books, German writers exiled for their opinions or heritage have been taking up residence in Paris. There they opened a library meant to celebrate the freedom of ideas and gathered every book on the banned list . . . and even incognito versions of the forbidden books that were smuggled back into Germany. For the last six years, Corinne Bastien has been reading those books and making that library a second home. But when the German army takes possession of Paris, she loses access to the library and all the secrets she'd hidden there. Secrets the Allies will need if they have any hope of liberating the city she calls home. Christian Bauer may be German, but he never wanted anything to do with the Nazi Party--he is a professor, one who's done his best to protect his family as well as the books that were a threat to Nazi ideals. But when Goebbels sends him to Paris to handle the "relocation" of France's libraries, he's forced into an army uniform and given a rank he doesn't want. In Paris, he tries to protect whoever and whatever he can from the madness of the Party and preserve the ideas that Germans will need again when that madness is over, and maybe find a lost piece of his heart. A Christianity Today Book of the Year Award-winner! Stand-alone historical fiction from a bestselling, Christy Award-winning author A thought-provoking novel perfect for book clubs Includes discussion questions

A map-based analysis of the Second Bull Run Campaign, detailing troop movements, battles, and strategies with full-color cartography and insightful commentary. The Maps of Second Bull Run: An Atlas of the Second Bull Run (Manassas) Campaign from the Formation of the Army of Virginia Through Chantilly, June 26-September 1, 1862 continues Bradley M. Gottfried's efforts to study and illustrate the major campaigns of the Civil War. This is the tenth book in the ongoing Savas Beatie Military Atlas Series. President Abraham Lincoln's frustration with George B. McClellan's inability to defeat Robert E. Lee and capture Richmond dramatically increased after the unsuccessful Seven Days' Battles. In response, Lincoln combined three small armies into the new Army of Virginia and placed it under Maj. Gen. John Pope, who had overseen several successes in the Western Theater. Pope's aggressiveness and McClellan's passivity on the Peninsula convinced Lee to send Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's wing of the Army of Northern Virginia to confront Pope. A bloody battle at Cedar Mountain on August 9 halted Pope's move south, and Jackson's raid on the vast stores at Manassas Junction triggered another confrontation, this time at Kettle Run. When McClellan's troops abandoned the Peninsula, Lee moved his other wing under James Longstreet rapidly north. Pope missed an opportunity to prevent the junction of Lee's wings by not stopping Longstreet at Thoroughfare Gap. The battle of Second Bull Run began on the evening of August 28 when Jackson tangled with Union troops at the Brawner Farm. Pope spent much of the next day hammering Jackson's front, with no idea that Longstreet was arriving on the field. The Union assaults continued on August 30 until Longstreet launched a massive assault that rolled up the Union left flank and collapsed Pope's army. The retreat was briefly interrupted by some of Jackson's units at Chantilly, which ended the campaign. The Maps of Second Bull Run plows new ground by breaking down the entire campaign into 24 map sets or "action sections," enriched with 122 detailed full-page color maps. These cartographic originals bore down to the regimental and battery level. They include the march to and from the battlefields and virtually every significant event in between, including cavalry actions. At least two--and as many as ten--maps accompany each map set. Keyed to each piece of cartography is a full-facing page of detailed text describing the units, personalities, movements, and combat (including quotes from eyewitnesses) depicted on the accompanying map, all of which make the cavalry actions come alive. This presentation allows readers to easily find a map and text on any portion of the sprawling campaign. Serious students will appreciate the extensive endnotes and complete orders of battle and take the book with them to the battlefields. A final bonus is that the maps unlock every other book or article written on any aspect of the campaign. Perfect for the easy chair or for stomping the hallowed grounds, The Maps of Second Bull Run is a seminal work that belongs on the bookshelf of every serious and casual student of the battle.

THE THRILLING, ENEMIES TO LOVERS TIKTOK SENSATION! 'This book is everything I wanted and more! Sometimes the second book of a series can be a hit or miss but this didn't disappoint in the slightest!' 'Nara and Darius' relationship is honestly funny and sweet and gripping all at the same time. Honestly never know what's going to happen with these two.' 'The world building is phenomenal and the characters are well developed and lovable!' ......................................... Nara set out to hunt dragons - now one dragon might be her only hope . . . Wanted by Queen Sarilyn and her army of Venators, Nara and Darius embark on a dangerous quest through the Screaming Forests. These lands are not a place for the faint of heart; evil monsters and perilous magic lurk in every shadow. They must reach the Isle of Elements, or forfeit everything they hold dear. But The Elven King who rules over these lands has other plans for this duo. They must solve puzzles, escape caverns, and fight wicked beings to fetch elemental stones hidden away in the Isle of Elements. As tempers flare and tensions between the duo rise, will the pressure tear them apart for good or push them together in ways neither could ever have imagined?

THE INTERNATIONAL PHENOMENON BEHIND THE COSMERE A STANDALONE COSMERE ADVENTURE WITH MAGIC AS YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN IT **** A story of two sisters, who happen to be princesses. A story about two gods, one a God King and one lesser. A story about an immortal trying to undo the mistakes he made hundreds of years ago. This is WARBREAKER. In the world of Warbreaker, each person is born endowed with the power of one Breath - which can be sold and collected by others, then used to Awaken objects and even corpses to do their bidding. A few individuals who die in glory return as gods, with the power of thousands of Breath, but no memory of their mortal lives - and are enthroned in the Court of Gods in Hallandren's capital. To Vivenna and Siri, princesses of Idris, the abuse of Breath and the claim of the Returned to be gods are repugnant blasphemy. But with one princess wed to the God King of their nation's enemies in a bid for peace, the other finds she must rely on Breath -using mercenaries to try to rescue her sister from her monstrous husband. Lightsong the Bold, a lesser god who doubts his own religion, starts investigating mysterious murders in the Court of Gods and uncovers haunting clues to his own forgotten past. He is one of four gods who controls the army of Awakened Lifeless soldiers, and one faction is inciting an invasion of Idris despite the marriage treaty. Vasher - wielder of the sapient sword Nightblood - works behind the scenes against the declaration of war, but Lightsong's visions of bloodshed prophesy its inevitability. Can the new queen, unaware of her sister's imminent rescue attempt, persuade Lightsong and also somehow get through to the aloof God King - who she has been forbidden to speak to or even look in the eyes - before her homeland is destroyed? **** SANDERSON THE EPIC FANTASY TITAN: 'An exceptional tale of magic, mystery and the politics of divinity' MICHAEL MOORCOCK 'A powerful stand-alone tale of unpredictable loyalties, dark intrigue and dangerous magic' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 'Sanderson is astonishingly wise' ORSON SCOTT CARD 'Epic in every sense' GUARDIAN

“A scorchingly brilliant, wildly funny, and deeply moving epic.” —John Green, #1 globally bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars Two unlikely heroes embark on quests to win God’s favor in this outrageously entertaining, profoundly heartfelt novel that announces an ingenious new voice in the tradition of Chain-Gang All-Stars, No One Is Talking About This, and Martyr! Yara can’t comprehend why God has chosen them to slay Dominic, the ruthless leader of the army of Bad Guys. Cast out by their family and reeling from a destructive relationship, Yara has never felt weaker—but with nothing left to lose, they strike a deal. Abandoning their solitary days of embroidery and obsessive cleaning, Yara reluctantly embarks on a perilous odyssey designed to prepare them for the daunting mission ahead. Meanwhile, Adrena, a disillusioned prophet with a terrifying secret power, is determined to become the hero of this story. Desperately seeking the glory of God’s approval and the promise of heaven, where she hopes to reunite with her beloved mother, Adrena must first persuade Harpo, the leader of the Good Guys, that her plan is God’s will. As their journeys unfold in a series of unforgettable adventures, Yara and Adrena are propelled toward each other and transformative revelations about life, death, and destiny in this intensely captivating, irreverent epic from a singularly brilliant new voice in fiction.