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Best Book of 2015 by Amazon, Barnes and Noble, BuzzFeed - "Promises to be breathtaking." --Robin Hobb
Sharakhai stands as the great city of the desert, a center of commerce and culture ruled from time immemorial by twelve cruel, ruthless, powerful, and immortal kings. These tyrants maintain their iron grip through their army of Silver Spears, their elite company of Blade Maidens, and their holy defenders—the terrifying asirim. Under their rule, freedom seems impossible.
Çeda, a brave young woman from the west end slums, changes everything when she defies the Kings' laws by venturing outside on the holy night of Beht Zha'ir. What she discovers that night launches her on a dangerous path through the terrible truths of the Kings' mysterious history and the hidden riddles of her own heritage. These secrets hold the power to finally break the Kings' grip—if she can survive long enough to use them.
This first installment in The Song of Shattered Sands series introduces readers to a richly detailed Middle Eastern-inspired fantasy world where ancient powers, political intrigue, and personal vengeance collide. The novel features a strong female protagonist navigating a complex web of magic, mystery, and rebellion against seemingly invincible rulers.
Bradley P. Beaulieu brings years of fantasy writing expertise to this epic tale. Winner of the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Award and Gemmell Morningstar Award nominee, Beaulieu has published work in Realms of Fantasy Magazine, Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show, and Writers of the Future 20. He is also the author of The Lays of Anuskaya series, demonstrating his mastery of complex, multi-book fantasy narratives.
Beaulieu's passion for fantasy began in third grade with The Hobbit, leading him from a career in computer science and engineering to creating the immersive worlds readers love. His attention to world-building detail and character development shines throughout this desert fantasy epic.
This paperback edition from DAW Books delivers an unforgettable journey through Sharakhai's dangerous streets and political machinations. The novel combines elements of dark fantasy with Middle Eastern cultural inspiration, creating a unique setting that stands apart from traditional European-based fantasy worlds. The Blade Maidens, Silver Spears, and asirim create a mythology that feels both ancient and fresh.
Perfect for readers who appreciate complex female protagonists, intricate world-building, and epic fantasy series that reward careful attention to detail and interconnected mysteries.
About the AuthorBradley P. Beaulieu fell in love with fantasy from the moment he began reading The Hobbit in third grade. While Bradley earned a degree in computer science and engineering and worked in the information technology field for years, he could never quite shake his desire to explore other worlds. He began writing his first fantasy novel in college. It was a book he later trunked, but it was a start, a thing that proved how much he enjoyed the creation of stories. It made him want to write more. He went on to write The Lays of Anuskaya series as well as The Song of Shattered Sands series. He has published work in the Realms of Fantasy Magazine, Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show, Writers of the Future 20, and several anthologies. He has won the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Award and earned a Gemmell Morningstar Award nomination. Learn more about Bradley by visiting his website, quillings.com, or on Twitter at @bbeaulieu.