Publication Date: Nov 2024

Synopsis:

Lia is the princess of Locris, a dying desert nation cursed centuries ago by an earth goddess—one still worshipped by the thriving and adversarial nation of Ilion. Every year, Ilion offers the goddess a sacrifice: two Locrian maidens forced to compete in a life-and-death race to reach her temple. In a millennium, no maiden has made it out of Ilion alive. This year, Lia is one of the hunted.

An education in battle gives her a fighting chance, but the challenges are greater than she feared: Lia’s beloved but untrained sister Quynh has been put in the path of danger. The winding streets of Ilion itself have been transformed into a labyrinthine maze of countless choices and dead ends. And if the risks weren’t significant enough, Lia is reluctantly drawn to the commandingly attractive Jason, an Ilionian sailor she loathes to trust and desires like no man before.

The tribute game is on. It’s up to Lia to lift the goddess’s curse, restore Locris to its former glory, and change the fate of every young woman destined to follow in her path.

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What To Expect:

Readers can expect a romantasy novel where Ancient Greece meets the Hunger Games. It features plenty of plot twists as well as adventure and steamy kissing scenes.

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Content Warnings:

Language: None – There is mention of cursing but no actual profanity.

Sexual Content: Mild – There is mention of sexual assault (part of the mythology in this fantasy world) and some descriptive kissing scenes.

*SPOILER:* two unmarried characters almost sleep together, but then decide not to.

Violence: Heavy – Descriptive battle scenes. A major plot point involves an army of men hunting two teenage girls with the intent of killing them. Physical abuse. Fist fights/bullying.

Substance Use: Mild – Alcohol (sometimes consumed by characters under the age of 21, but it does not appear that there is a legal drinking age in this setting).

Prejudices: Moderate – Regional prejudices/animosity among different nationalities

Religious Themes: Polytheistic culture; mostly revolving around the worship of one goddess. Very heavily modeled after Ancient Greece.

Other Topics: Loss of family members (moderate), grief (moderate)

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