Alexandra Rowland

From the author of the critically-acclaimed fantasy novel A Taste of Gold and Iron comes a sequel/spinoff novella about… From the author of the critically-acclaimed fantasy novel A Taste of Gold and Iron comes a sequel/spinoff novella about loyalty and grief: Long before Tadek Hasira ever made it to the Gold Court to serve as one of the royal family's elite bodyguards and servants, he was nothing more than a grubby street urchin in the poorest district of the capital city-that is, until her Highness, the Crown Princess Mihrişah, held out her hand in kindness, lifted him out of his circumstances, and gave him a future to dream of. But that was twenty years ago, and tragedy befell the palace only a few years into Tadek's training. Ever since, Tadek held his unwavering love and loyalty to his princess in silence. No one knows what she was to him, and he is prepared to carry that secret for the rest of his life... Unless someone-the right person-happens to find him standing vigil at her portrait. read more

In the heart of the Zagros Mountains, where ancient whispers echo through rugged peaks, Kurdish linguist Shirin Baran em… In the heart of the Zagros Mountains, where ancient whispers echo through rugged peaks, Kurdish linguist Shirin Baran embarks on a UNESCO mission to document a dying dialect. The isolated village of Gavlan, perched precariously on a mountainside, holds secrets as weathered as its inhabitants. Here, amidst the calls of unseen birds, Shirin discovers something extraordinary: haunting lullabies woven into the stories of Dilan, a village elder whose memory stretches back decades. Could these melodies be remnants of a forgotten language, a linguistic fossil waiting to be unearthed? Local whispers of the Simurgh, an ancient bird-worshipping sect, ignite Shirin's curiosity. Her linguistic excavation reveals a complex tapestry of cultural suppression, forced migrations, and desperate attempts to preserve identity. As Shirin deciphers the lullabies, each syllable a breadcrumb, the Simurgh emerge from the shadows of folklore. Their language, a secret code of resistance, whispers of a shrouded past. But Shirin’s pursuit comes at a cost. Turkish authorities, suspicious of Kurdish cultural expression, label her an agitator. Kurdish separatists see her as a threat. Caught in this political crossfire, her academic quest takes on a dangerous edge. Into this precarious landscape walks Cem, a Turkish ornithologist captivated by Shirin’s passion. Their shared love for nature and fascination with migration—both avian and human—forges a powerful bond. Yet, Cem harbors a secret, a hidden legacy that could shatter their fragile connection and jeopardize Shirin’s work. A breakthrough comes when Shirin discovers coded messages hidden within traditional Kurdish weaving, each stitch a testament to resilience. The patterns, she realizes, are a living language, a secret history woven into the fabric of Kurdish identity. As she unravels these coded threads, a shocking revelation emerges – a link between the Simurgh and her own family, transforming her academic pursuit into a deeply personal ques read more

In a kingdom where a royal edict has forbidden men from gracing the stage, Sabajan Hollant, co-founder and director of t… In a kingdom where a royal edict has forbidden men from gracing the stage, Sabajan Hollant, co-founder and director of the acclaimed Lord Chancellor's Players, fights to keep his troupe alive. Surrounded by cutthroat rival companies and under constant scrutiny, Sabajan is determined to uphold a new standard of integrity and professionalism. He knows that one false step, one provoked incident, could cost them their noble patronage and shatter their very existence in the theater world. But navigating the treacherous currents of court politics and personal rivalries demands a clean act that may be impossible to maintain. read more

"Eisl has lived on the ledge between the ravine and the cliffs since he was born. He has only ever crossed the bridge on… "Eisl has lived on the ledge between the ravine and the cliffs since he was born. He has only ever crossed the bridge once--the terror of the god dwelling far beneath it is too much for him to bear. But when a wandering storyteller, named Ylfing and called Chant, arrives in the village, Eisl's longing to see the world of his stories with his own eyes becomes too powerful to resist. But the ravine, the bridge, and the god are all still there, and if Eisl wishes to free himself and cross over to the other side, he must first face his greatest fear." -- read more

At the center of the great forest of Avaris lies the sacred wood of Ystrac, god of the hunt and the wilderness-and the w… At the center of the great forest of Avaris lies the sacred wood of Ystrac, god of the hunt and the wilderness-and the wild terror of hunted things. This fear emanates so powerfully from the godwood that most travelers who would pass along its winding road can barely step past the boundary marker. All that keeps the fear at bay are the lanterns, lit by mysterious, ever-burning flames and tended faithfully by the priests of Talesyn, the god of poets. Aneth is a dedicate of Ystrac, and as part of her service to him, she is charged to face the godwood's fear and open her heart to it, guiding travelers along the road and seeing them safe on their way on the other side. Corentin is a priest of Talesyn, and for his service, he has sworn to walk the lantern path and do what needs must to ensure the lanterns' flames burn bright for years to come-whatever the cost to himself, whatever oaths or sacrifices he must make. Neither of them is precisely what the other would expect... But then, neither is their journey along the lantern path. read more

A wrongfully imprisoned storyteller spins stories from his jail cell that just might have the power to save him—and take… A wrongfully imprisoned storyteller spins stories from his jail cell that just might have the power to save him—and take down a corrupt government. Arrested on accusations of witchcraft and treason, Chant finds himself trapped in a cold, filthy jail cell in a foreign land. With only his advocate, the unhelpful and uninterested Consanza, he quickly finds himself cast as a bargaining chip in a brewing battle between the five rulers of this small, backwards, and petty nation. Or, at least, that's how he would tell the story. In truth, Chant has little idea of what is happening outside the walls of his cell, but he must quickly start to unravel the puzzle of his imprisonment before they execute him for his alleged crimes. But Chant is no witch—he is a member of a rare and obscure order of wandering storytellers. With no country to call his home, and no people to claim as his own, all Chant has is his wits and his apprentice, a lad more interested in wooing handsome shepherds than learning the ways of the world. And yet, he has one great power: his stories in the ears of the rulers determined to prosecute him for betraying a nation he knows next to nothing about. The tales he tells will topple the Queens of Nuryevet and just maybe, save his life. read more

A sweeping fantasy romance inspired by the Ottoman Empire, A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland is perfect for… A sweeping fantasy romance inspired by the Ottoman Empire, A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland is perfect for fans of A Marvellous Light and The Goblin Emperor. 'A delicious tangle of romance, fealty and dangerous politics' - Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne One false coin could topple an empire. Kadou, the shy prince of Arasht, has no intention of wrestling for imperial control with his sister, the queen. Yet he remains at odds with one of the most powerful ambassadors at court - the father of the queen's new child. Then a hunting party goes terribly awry, and Kadou finds himself under suspicion of attempted murder. To prove his loyalty to his sister and salvage his reputation, Kadou takes responsibility for the investigation of a break-in at one of their guilds. He enlists the help of his newly appointed bodyguard, the coldly handsome Evemer, who seems to tolerate him at best. But what appears to be a straightforward crime spirals into a complex counterfeiting operation, with a powerful enemy at its heart. In Arasht, where princes can touch-taste precious metals with their fingers and myth runs side by side with history, counterfeiting is heresy. The conspiracy they discover could cripple the kingdom's financial standing - and bring about its ruin. 'As indulgent and satisfying as your favourite fanfiction' - Tessa Gratton, author of The Queens of Innis Lear read more

Discover where faeries and other mythical creatures are hiding in our modern, urban environment with this beautifully il… Discover where faeries and other mythical creatures are hiding in our modern, urban environment with this beautifully illustrated guide to uncovering magical beings. Like every other being in our world, fantastical creatures have been forced to adapt to the climate, industrial, and cultural changes of the modern era. Countless formerly common creatures including akeki and cave trolls have been driven out by urban sprawl and climate change while others, like ether sprites and brownies, have been able to thrive in abundance, creating homes in city environments. Featuring descriptions of magical creatures from around the globe, this encyclopedic collection details the history and adaptability of more than fifty different species of fae. Within these pages, you’ll learn about: -The History of the Land of Faerie and who you might find there -Immigration’s Effect on legendary creatures, who often travel with us when we move -The Native Species of the Americas, including the Thunderbird and wendigo -The Impacts of Climate Change and Conservation, and how you can help preserve these mythical creatures -And Beginner Tips for Fae-Spotting, including safety tips for interacting with fae​ Combining scholarship with modern lore and environmentalism, and featuring stunning hand-drawn illustrations, Finding Faeries is a captivating look at the fantastical beings that inhabit our world today. read more

The follow-up to the fan-favorite A Conspiracy of Truths “reveals the author’s stunning prose, beautiful worldbuilding,… The follow-up to the fan-favorite A Conspiracy of Truths “reveals the author’s stunning prose, beautiful worldbuilding, and emotional detail,” (Library Journal, starred review) and serves as a timely reminder that the words we wield can bring destruction—or salvation. Three years ago, Yfling watched his master-Chant tear a nation apart with nothing but the words on his tongue. Now Ylfing is all alone in a new realm, brokenhearted and grieving—but a Chant in his own right, employed as a translator to a wealthy merchant of luxury goods, Sterre de Waeyer. But Ylfing has been struggling to come to terms with what his master did, with the audiences he’s been alienated from, and with the stories he can no longer trust himself to tell. That is, until Ylfing’s employer finds out what he is, what he does, and what he knows. At Sterre’s command, Ylfing begins telling stories once more, fanning the city into a mania for a few shipments of an exotic flower. The prices skyrocket, but when disaster looms, Ylfing must face what he has done and decide who he wants to be: a man who walks away and lets the city shatter, as his master did? Or will he embrace the power of stories to save ten thousand lives? In this “wise, moving, and captivating adventure” (Publishers Weekly, starred review), a young storyteller must embrace his own skills and discover that a story can be powerful enough to bring a nation to its knees, certainly. But in the right hands, a story can rebuild a broken dam, keep the floodwaters back, and save a life—or thousands of lives. read more

A queer pirate fantasy standalone adventure by Alexandra Rowland, the author of A Taste of Gold and Iron "Come for the i… A queer pirate fantasy standalone adventure by Alexandra Rowland, the author of A Taste of Gold and Iron "Come for the irrepressible gremlin of a narrator, stay for the plot-relevant cake competitions! A whip-smart, hilarious and exuberant high seas romp."—Freya Marske, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Marvellous Light A LitHub most anticipated book of 2024 Avra Helvaçi, former field agent of the Araşti Ministry of Intelligence, has accidentally stolen the single most expensive secret in the world—and the only place to flee with a secret that big is the open sea. To find a buyer with deep enough pockets, Avra must ask for help from his on-again, off-again ex, the pirate Captain Teveri az-Ḥaffār. They are far from happy to see him, but together, they hatch a plan: take the information to the isolated pirate republic of the Isles of Lost Souls, fence it, profit. The only things in their way? A calculating new Araşti ambassador to the Isles of Lost Souls who’s got his eyes on Avra’s every move; Brother Julian, a beautiful, mysterious new member of the crew with secrets of his own and a frankly inconvenient vow of celibacy; the fact that they’re sailing straight into sea serpent breeding season and almost certain doom. But if they can find a way to survive and sell the secret on the black market, they’ll all be as wealthy as kings—and, more important, they’ll be legends. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied. read more

The Fallen Angel Lucien never expected the world to end. Inconveniently enough, it did. He and Lalael, an angel of the H… The Fallen Angel Lucien never expected the world to end. Inconveniently enough, it did. He and Lalael, an angel of the Higher Realm, are abandoned to make their way in what's left of the world. It has changed, however. Uncountable humans have died or vanished, and leftover groups are determined to survive however they can, fighting off new dangers and killing anything they do not understand. But demons were not the only thing released into the world at the End: A strange new power fills the world, and no one knows what this might bring. read more

"Alongside the sexiness and absurdity (and the sexy absurdity) in Yield Under Great Persuasion is a tender, resonant sto… "Alongside the sexiness and absurdity (and the sexy absurdity) in Yield Under Great Persuasion is a tender, resonant story of second and third chances and being loved when we need it most and feel we deserve it least. Evocative, emotional, and endlessly entertaining." – Jules Arbeaux, author of Lord of the Empty Isles Tam Becket has hated Lord Lyford since they were boys. The fact that he’s also been sleeping with the man for the last ten years is irrelevant. When they were both nine years old, Lyford smashed Tam’s entry into the village’s vegetable competition. Nearly twenty years later, Tam hasn’t forgiven him. Now Tam has reconciled himself to the fact that love and affection are for other people, that the gods won’t answer any of his prayers (not even the one about afflicting Lyford with a case of flesh-eating spiders to chew off his privates), and that life is inherently mundane, joyless, and drab. And then, the very last straw: Tam discovers that Lyford (of all people!) bears the divine favor of Angarat, the goddess Tam feels most betrayed and abandoned by. In his hurt and anger, Tam packs up and prepares to leave the village for good. Tam soon finds himself set on a quest for the most difficult of all possible prizes: Self care, forgiveness, a second chance... and somehow the unbelievably precious knowledge that there is at least one person who loves Tam for exactly who he is—and always has. "Yield Under Great Persuasion is a hot cup of chocolate for the soul. Prepare to experience the softest, most caring romance ever." – Bookriot.com read more