Jordan Ifueko

Tarisai of Swana is born to a perplexing woman called The Lady and a djinn (called an ehru in this novel), and her whole life is a preparation to join the Crown Prince’s Council of Eleven, all of whom possess some magical power. However, even before she arrived, she was cryptically instructed (programmed, really) to kill the prince, the person she as a Council member, is sworn to protect and love. Tarisai resists this instruction, travelling through the twelve realms of Aristar trying to understand herself and this command. Political unrest, palace intrigue, bigotry, love, betrayal, and marginalization of “other” are the familiar themes that drive the plot, making this strange universe relatable to our own. Impressive debut fantasy novel.… (more)