Reigning Abyss - Paperback

Five years after fleeing the palace in fire and blood, Yan Xun is gone-presumed dead by the Empire and determined to remain that way. In her place stands Yan Ling, a woman shaped by loss, secrecy, and survival.

She was prepared to walk this path alone. But a chance encounter with an azure dragon has opened up a world of possibilities ... and perils.

Deep within the fabled mountain revered for its rumored Smokeveil powers and feared for the demon-beasts lurking in its shadows, Ling builds a hidden sanctuary for those the Empire tries to erase. Young Weavers bonded to mythic Emberkin, feared not for crimes they have committed, but for powers they were never supposed to possess. Phoenixes. Dragons. Beings of legend the Empire denies could ever exist. More than shelter, Ling creates a fragile future for the hunted and the outcast.

But the past is not so easily buried.

As old wounds stir and forces beyond the mountain begin to close in, Ling must confront the ghosts she thought she had outrun. The Empire still fears what it cannot control, and silence can no longer guarantee safety. To protect those who now depend on her, Ling must decide whether merely surviving is enough ... or whether some stories can only be reclaimed through fire.

In a realm that hunts difference and punishes power, survival demands more than silence. It demands reckoning.

Perfect for readers who loved The Poet Empress and Daughter of the Moon Goddess, Reigning Abyss is a sweeping fantasy of found family, grief, resilience, and the courage to face what remains.

Reigning Abyss is the sequel to Reigning Fire. Both books can be enjoyed on their own, but readers who begin with Reigning Fire may find a deeper appreciation for how the characters have changed, and for the world they now have to navigate. Reigning Abyss will especially appeal to mature readers of lyrical romantasy and lovers of intricate court intrigue.

This edition includes exclusive art inserts (a total of 13 internal artwork in the paperback version; 2 in the e-book version), featuring Chinese calligraphy of character names and original illustrations of key characters and scenes-a visual companion to the story's haunting beauty.

**Recommended for mature readers (18+) due to heavy themes, including suicidal ideation, violence, trauma recovery, power imbalance, and institutional harm. Reader discretion advised. Please visit author website (jasmine-loo.com) for the full list of trigger alerts.