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This Shattered Promise
In a world where life itself must be paid for if you want to
survive, what would happen if you could buy more? This sequel to
These Stolen Lives is a thrilling and beautifully written
dystopian fantasy, full of tension, romance and godly powers. Perfect
for fans of Malorie Blackman and Tahereh Mafi.
Seventeen-year-old Mora survived the Skøl invasion seven years
ago, but it left her indebted to the government as an indentured
'repayer'. After her secret involvement in a rebellion, she has
now been separated from her friend Kit, just as they realised their
feelings for each other. Targeted for her rare memory skills,
she has been dragged to help unscrupulous Sciencemaster General,
Sacrifice Sting, deliver a breakthrough for the High the
key to immortality. Can the Skøl conquer death itself? And
at what price?
The secret may lie in ancient Xan wisdom that Kit's native people,
sequestered in their last enclave in the Badlands, have long
guarded. In the wrong hands, these powers would be utterly devastating.
Can Kit and Mora manage to find each other again - and save
their future?
survive, what would happen if you could buy more? This sequel to
These Stolen Lives is a thrilling and beautifully written
dystopian fantasy, full of tension, romance and godly powers. Perfect
for fans of Malorie Blackman and Tahereh Mafi.
Seventeen-year-old Mora survived the Skøl invasion seven years
ago, but it left her indebted to the government as an indentured
'repayer'. After her secret involvement in a rebellion, she has
now been separated from her friend Kit, just as they realised their
feelings for each other. Targeted for her rare memory skills,
she has been dragged to help unscrupulous Sciencemaster General,
Sacrifice Sting, deliver a breakthrough for the High the
key to immortality. Can the Skøl conquer death itself? And
at what price?
The secret may lie in ancient Xan wisdom that Kit's native people,
sequestered in their last enclave in the Badlands, have long
guarded. In the wrong hands, these powers would be utterly devastating.
Can Kit and Mora manage to find each other again - and save
their future?
445 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 14, 2025
2 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Sharada Keats
3 books11 followersBorn in Kalgoorlie in 1982, Sharada loves poetry, nature, reading, writing, electricity, hot running water, petrichor, a certain degree of cliché, and circumstances that ensure young people can enjoy basic human rights, be nurtured, and grow old happily and healthily. She feels strongly that people of all ages deserve a wider variety of stories and storytellers. Sharada grew up in Australia and Canada, with parents from Guyana and Yorkshire – influences that still shape her writing. She studied agricultural economics in university, and has spent many years working in the third sector. Sharada now lives with her partner, two young children, and ancient old cat in London, UK.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 13, 2025
I enjoyed this book but again didn’t realise 2 book series
Blurb
After her secret involvement in a rebellion against the Skøl government,
seventeen-year-old Mora has now been separated from her friend
Kit, just as they realized their feelings for each other. Targeted
for her rare memory and drawing skills, she has been dragged
to help unscrupulous Sciencemaster General, Sacrifice Sting,
deliver a breakthrough for the High Governor: the key to immortality.
Can the Skøl conquer death itself? And at what price?
The secret may lie in ancient Xan wisdom that Kit's native people,
sequestered in their last enclave in the Badlands, have long guarded.
In the wrong hands, these powers would be utterly devastating.
Can Kit and Mora manage to find each other again - and save
their future?
Blurb
After her secret involvement in a rebellion against the Skøl government,
seventeen-year-old Mora has now been separated from her friend
Kit, just as they realized their feelings for each other. Targeted
for her rare memory and drawing skills, she has been dragged
to help unscrupulous Sciencemaster General, Sacrifice Sting,
deliver a breakthrough for the High Governor: the key to immortality.
Can the Skøl conquer death itself? And at what price?
The secret may lie in ancient Xan wisdom that Kit's native people,
sequestered in their last enclave in the Badlands, have long guarded.
In the wrong hands, these powers would be utterly devastating.
Can Kit and Mora manage to find each other again - and save
their future?
September 28, 2025
The book before this one ‘These Stolen Lives’ is a tense dystopian thriller with fantasy elements. Paraphrasing my summary of book one: the colonised peoples must work for the regime who massacred their families. They must work off the debt of being allowed to live. What we also find out is what they are prepared to do for each other and against their oppressors.
In it, we are introduced to Mora and Kit, who do everything they can to fight the oppressive government of the colonising power, the Skøl. …and to get each other’s clothes off.
The start of book 2 quickly destroys the note of cagey optimism that you are left with at the end of book 1. Sorry, lovers.
We catch up with Mora, who is working for the odious Sciencemaster General, Sacrifice Sting (such a brilliant name, especially given his role in the novel). And has less freedom than ever and is being totally exploited for her talent. Worse still, it’s virtually impossible for Mora and Kit to find some alone time and they are yearning for each other. When Mora isn’t drawing for Sting, she is occupied with caring for a child, whose reason for being is shrouded in mystery. Despite herself, Mora becomes invested in the child’s welfare, which is at risk in Sting’s hands, and bound up with a much bigger part of the story.
The colonisers just won’t quit. Not content with their domination of the lands, they are now messing with sacred relics and ancient rituals of the people they culled or continue to oppress. When you mess with ancient forces that you don’t understand, you’d better be ready.
This book goes much more into the spiritual and fantastical elements hinted at in book 1 as the native people try to preserve their secrets and invoke whatever powers they can to persevere.
This Shattered Promise shows a massive imagination and in extending way beyond the parameters of book 1, keeps you guessing and enthralled. A satisfying conclusion to the series. Can’t wait to read what Sharada Keats writes next.
In it, we are introduced to Mora and Kit, who do everything they can to fight the oppressive government of the colonising power, the Skøl. …and to get each other’s clothes off.
The start of book 2 quickly destroys the note of cagey optimism that you are left with at the end of book 1. Sorry, lovers.
We catch up with Mora, who is working for the odious Sciencemaster General, Sacrifice Sting (such a brilliant name, especially given his role in the novel). And has less freedom than ever and is being totally exploited for her talent. Worse still, it’s virtually impossible for Mora and Kit to find some alone time and they are yearning for each other. When Mora isn’t drawing for Sting, she is occupied with caring for a child, whose reason for being is shrouded in mystery. Despite herself, Mora becomes invested in the child’s welfare, which is at risk in Sting’s hands, and bound up with a much bigger part of the story.
The colonisers just won’t quit. Not content with their domination of the lands, they are now messing with sacred relics and ancient rituals of the people they culled or continue to oppress. When you mess with ancient forces that you don’t understand, you’d better be ready.
This book goes much more into the spiritual and fantastical elements hinted at in book 1 as the native people try to preserve their secrets and invoke whatever powers they can to persevere.
This Shattered Promise shows a massive imagination and in extending way beyond the parameters of book 1, keeps you guessing and enthralled. A satisfying conclusion to the series. Can’t wait to read what Sharada Keats writes next.
June 4, 2025
Just finished writing this one. Total banger 🙃💃🦴🩻🐀🐝🍯🩸🌩️🌩️🌩️☠️💀🏴☠️🦜🦋
January 10, 2026
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This is an ARC review. I appreciate receiving this copy from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.
This is an ARC review. I appreciate receiving this copy from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews