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Ending
Prize-winning author Gabriella Batel, author of the highly acclaimed Don’t duology, returns with a thrilling, gut-wrenching epic fantasy, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Rebecca Ross, and R.F. Kuang.
The prince of the night.
A dying immortal.
A traitor with a knack for miracles.
An assassin of gods.
Priyam Aqna is Death itself—the Essence of slowing and ceasing. He is as old as the world of Gara. He’s also only nineteen in the years of his kind, a hundred times that of a mortal. And he has not felt another living thing’s touch in centuries.
His younger sister, Indony, the Essence of life, is chronically ill with a mysterious wasting sickness, and Priyam fears that only his magic, his power, and his presence could weaken an immortal like that. So, he’s kept his distance.
Until the day that Indony is slipped an impossible synthetic poison—one strong enough to kill her.
She survives the attack, but Priyam returns from exile and goes on the hunt. He will find an antidote, and he will find her killer. He will save her, even if it means delving into the underbelly of the world he has loved since its creation. Even if it means allying with Aquilian Tectarus, the Essence who betrayed him all those years ago. Even if it means he must open up to his little sister once again—and put her in danger by doing so.
Priyam will find who poisoned Life herself. And when he does, there will be Death to pay.
The prince of the night.
A dying immortal.
A traitor with a knack for miracles.
An assassin of gods.
Priyam Aqna is Death itself—the Essence of slowing and ceasing. He is as old as the world of Gara. He’s also only nineteen in the years of his kind, a hundred times that of a mortal. And he has not felt another living thing’s touch in centuries.
His younger sister, Indony, the Essence of life, is chronically ill with a mysterious wasting sickness, and Priyam fears that only his magic, his power, and his presence could weaken an immortal like that. So, he’s kept his distance.
Until the day that Indony is slipped an impossible synthetic poison—one strong enough to kill her.
She survives the attack, but Priyam returns from exile and goes on the hunt. He will find an antidote, and he will find her killer. He will save her, even if it means delving into the underbelly of the world he has loved since its creation. Even if it means allying with Aquilian Tectarus, the Essence who betrayed him all those years ago. Even if it means he must open up to his little sister once again—and put her in danger by doing so.
Priyam will find who poisoned Life herself. And when he does, there will be Death to pay.
Paperback
Published September 23, 2025
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About the author
Gabriella Batel
9 books35 followersGabriella Batel is a vibrant young Catholic woman with an adrenaline craving and a passion for God, family, acting, movies, fanart, YA, and good food. She's the author of the acclaimed Don’t series, the upcoming epic fantasy thriller Ending (the first in the Essence Bane saga!), and the prize-winning post-apocalyptic fantasy story “Antivenom.” She’s also the fiery audio narrator of Mary Rose Kreger’s award-winning story “Fiona’s Choice.”
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January 28, 2026
No, I did not intentionally take Kaz Brekker and make him emotionally available.
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