A deathless girl's single-minded pursuit of the cure for a mysterious plague entangles her in a web of intrigue as an immortal ruler becomes set on uncovering the truth of her existence . . . and her hold on his attention in Merciful Carnage, the first in a new fantasy romance duology from USA Today bestselling author, Sara Hashem.
Tala's life has been defined by her inability to die. Her superstitious village has treated her with distrust and hostility since she was found floating in the Liyan River as a newborn. When a mysterious water-borne plague starts to ravage the oasis villages, Tala is sent across the desert to the city of Axsanda to seek refuge for her village. Determined to find a cure to the plague, Tala will stop at nothing to prove herself a worthy healer and member of her community.
Upon Tala's arrival in Axsanda, a would-be fatal encounter lands her in front of Selim, the chillingly beautiful High Judge and first of the four immortal siblings ruling the land. Intrigued by Tala, Selim agrees to shelter her village if she remains in his palace until they arrive. Despite his detachment from mortal emotions, Selim finds himself increasingly fascinated by the odd, ambitious girl, but Tala's deathlessness threatens the sacred balance he is sworn to uphold. As Tala hunts for a cure to the plague, Selim hunts for an answer to her existence.
As terrifying omens spread across Axsanda and Tala shows signs of an impossible power, the two must reckon with their attraction . . . and its catastrophic consequences.
Sara Hashem is the USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of The Jasad Heir and The Jasad Crown. An American-Egyptian author from Southern California, she spent many sunny days holed up indoors with a book. Sara’s love for fantasy and magical realms emerged during the two years her family lived in Egypt. When she isn’t busy naming stray cats in her neighborhood after her favorite authors, Sara can be found buried under coffee-ringed notebooks.
You can find Sara on Instagram and TikTok under @shashemwrites!
A new Hashem series! Well sign me up because obviously I’m glutton for punishment seeing as I've read all her books so far and here I am begging for more… T_T Masochist is me and all that.
*Now if you’ll excuse me I’m off to go cry some more after the ending of Where No Shadows Stays*
there aren’t enough words in the english language to explain how obnoxious i’m going to be when this book finally comes out. prepare to be sick of me everyone sara hashem is back to save fantasy