In this West African folkloreOinspired fantasy debut, a crown princess and a refugee are destined to destroy each other despite their growing attraction.An instant New York Times bestseller, this first entry in a duology is perfect for fans of Tomi Adeyemi, Rene Ahdieh, and Sabaa Tahir.An action-packed tale of injustice, magic, and romance, this novel immerses readers in a thrilling world and narrative tantamount to that of Children of Blood and Bone. Publishers Weekly (starred review)For Malik, the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life with his sisters in the prosperous desert city of Ziran. But when a vengeful spirit abducts his younger sister, Nadia, as payment to enter the city, Malik strikes a fatal dealkill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia's freedom.But Karina has deadly aspirations of her own. Her mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated; her court threatens mutiny; and Solstasia looms like a knife over her neck. Grief-stricken, Karina decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic . . . requiring the beating heart of a king. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition.When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a heart-pounding course to destroy each other. But as attraction flares between them and ancient evils stir, will they be able to see their tasks to the death?Revitalizing and exciting, Brown's debut breathes life into ancient but still relevant folk stories. Kirkus Reviews (starred review)An explosive, stunning fantasy debut. . . . Brown's world building is diverse and brimming with political intrigue, magic, and a burgeoning romance in the best of ways. Notably, Brown uses a lush fantasy backdrop to poignantly discuss real-world issues. Booklist (starred review)