The fate of an empire rests in the hands of a young woman with magical blood and nothing left to lose, and an outcast prince determined to save his family at any cost, in the sequel to Empire of Sand—one of TIME's Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time.

? 'Dark, melodious, and memorable.' —Library Journal, starred review

The Ambhan Empire is crumbling. A terrible war of succession hovers on the horizon. The only hope for peace lies in the mysterious realm of ash, where mortals can find what they seek in the echoes of their ancestors' dreams. But to walk there requires a steep price.

Arwa is determined to make the journey. Widowed by a brutal massacre, she's pledged service to the royal family and will see that pledge through to the end. She never expected to be joined by Zahir, the disgraced, illegitimate prince who has turned to forbidden magic in a desperate bid to save those he loves.

Together, they'll walk the bloody path of their shared past. And it will call into question everything they've ever believed...including whether the Empire is worth saving at all.

Praise for the Books of Ambha duology:

'A darkly intricate, devastating, and utterly original story.' —R. F. Kuang, award-winning author of the The Poppy War

'An ode to the quiet, fierce strength of women ... pure wonder.' —Samantha Shannon, New York Times bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree

'Stunning and enthralling.' —S. A. Chakraborty, USA Today bestselling author of The City of Brass

? 'Complex, affecting epic fantasy ... Intricate worldbuilding, heartrending emotional stakes.'-Publishers Weekly (starred review)

? 'Those with a penchant for lyrical prose, intricate world building, beautifully imagined characters, [and] compelling immersive folklore ... need look no further.' —Booklist (starred review)

Also by Tasha Suri:

The Books of Ambha duology:
Empire of Sand
Realm of Ash

The Burning Kingdoms trilogy:
The Jasmine Throne
The Oleander Sword
The Lotus Empire