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On Daughter’s Heart
Not yet published
Expected 29 Sep 26A dragon has gone mad.
The floating kingdom of Azuraton is under attack.
Robyn Raverie has been drafted to climb the infamous Paradise Root, an ancient plant that shoots to the sky. She and hundreds of men will risk their lives to save Azuraton. But Robyn is a woman, born in the wrong body, forced to live her life as a man to all but her sister, Jacsynn.
Jacsynn Raverie is to be married. The future laid out before her is bleak and hopeless, especially if Robyn leaves for Azuraton.
So, she cuts her hair, steals Robyn’s clothes, and runs away to take her place. Now, with no other choice, Robyn must sail across the sea to find a wish-granting mirror.
Jacsynn trains amongst hundreds of men, trying to get by and remain unnoticed, but she cannot seem to hide for long. climbing Paradise Root should be an honour: it is a man’s destiny, after all, for all women perish on Paradise Root.
One sister sails with deadly pirates. One sister prepares for an impossible climb. Both hide their identities, and both will uncover ancient secrets that will change the world as they know it.
The floating kingdom of Azuraton is under attack.
Robyn Raverie has been drafted to climb the infamous Paradise Root, an ancient plant that shoots to the sky. She and hundreds of men will risk their lives to save Azuraton. But Robyn is a woman, born in the wrong body, forced to live her life as a man to all but her sister, Jacsynn.
Jacsynn Raverie is to be married. The future laid out before her is bleak and hopeless, especially if Robyn leaves for Azuraton.
So, she cuts her hair, steals Robyn’s clothes, and runs away to take her place. Now, with no other choice, Robyn must sail across the sea to find a wish-granting mirror.
Jacsynn trains amongst hundreds of men, trying to get by and remain unnoticed, but she cannot seem to hide for long. climbing Paradise Root should be an honour: it is a man’s destiny, after all, for all women perish on Paradise Root.
One sister sails with deadly pirates. One sister prepares for an impossible climb. Both hide their identities, and both will uncover ancient secrets that will change the world as they know it.
469 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 29, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from Author
I want to thank M. K. West for trusting me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
On Daughter’s Heart is a beautiful fantasy novel revolving around three siblings: Beau, Robyn, and Jacsynn. They live in a magical world where dragons soar above the skies, in a place called Azuraton. To reach it, one must climb the Paradise Root—a feat supposedly reserved for men. Jacsynn, however, is stubborn, determined, and unwilling to accept the rules laid out for her. She is intent on changing the game. That is all I’m going to say, so as not to spoil the story.
This book has everything you could ask for: a beautiful and thoughtful exploration of different queer identities and experiences, pirates, dragons, a reimagining of Romeo and Juliet, and women who are tired of living under oppressive patriarchal rule.
What surprised me most was learning that this is West’s debut novel and that it will be published independently. The writing is so accomplished that I could easily have believed it came from an author who had been working in the industry for years, with the backing of an experienced editorial team. The prose is delightful, the characters are three-dimensional, and it is quite easy to connect with each of them. The world-building is exquisite, and the story is gripping, emotional, and magical.
I have a feeling we’ll be hearing M. K. West’s name much more often in the future.
Grab a copy and enjoy the ride when the book officially comes out at the end of September.
On Daughter’s Heart is a beautiful fantasy novel revolving around three siblings: Beau, Robyn, and Jacsynn. They live in a magical world where dragons soar above the skies, in a place called Azuraton. To reach it, one must climb the Paradise Root—a feat supposedly reserved for men. Jacsynn, however, is stubborn, determined, and unwilling to accept the rules laid out for her. She is intent on changing the game. That is all I’m going to say, so as not to spoil the story.
This book has everything you could ask for: a beautiful and thoughtful exploration of different queer identities and experiences, pirates, dragons, a reimagining of Romeo and Juliet, and women who are tired of living under oppressive patriarchal rule.
What surprised me most was learning that this is West’s debut novel and that it will be published independently. The writing is so accomplished that I could easily have believed it came from an author who had been working in the industry for years, with the backing of an experienced editorial team. The prose is delightful, the characters are three-dimensional, and it is quite easy to connect with each of them. The world-building is exquisite, and the story is gripping, emotional, and magical.
I have a feeling we’ll be hearing M. K. West’s name much more often in the future.
Grab a copy and enjoy the ride when the book officially comes out at the end of September.
Displaying 1 of 1 review