This Monster of Mine
She knows the taste of death. He’ll stoke her hunger for it.
Eighteen-year-old Sarai doesn’t know why someone tried to kill her four years ago, but she does know that her case was closed without justice. Hellbent on vengeance, she returns to the scene of the crime as a Petitor, a prosecutor who can magically detect lies, and is assigned to work with Tetrarch Kadra. Ice-cold and perennially sadistic, Kadra is the most vicious of the four judges who rule the land—and the prime suspect in a string of deaths identical to Sarai’s attempted murder.
Certain of his guilt, Sarai begins a double life: solving cases with Kadra by day and plotting his ruin by night. But Kadra is charming and there’s something alluring about the wrath he wields against the city’s corruption. So when the evidence she finds embroils her in a deadly political battle, Sarai must also fight against her attraction to Kadra—because despite his growing hold on her heart, his voice matches the only memory she has of her assailant…
A dazzling Ancient Rome-inspired romantasy debut, This Monster of Mine is a bloodbath of manipulation, deception, and forbidden love.
Shalini Abeysekara
Shalini Abeysekara’s writing is a quiet exploration of complexity — of people, emotions, and the spaces where everything intertwines. A Canadian author with roots that trace back to Sri Lanka, her stories draw from the rich fabric of her cultural heritage while seamlessly weaving in universal themes of love, loss, and the search for identity.
Her debut novel, This Monster of Mine, due for release in 2025, is a profound reflection of her unique voice. The story, steeped in the drama of ancient Rome, delves into forbidden love, vengeance, and the intricacies of human manipulation. Abeysekara’s narrative voice is marked by its emotional depth, making her characters come alive with every decision they make, every flaw they carry. Through them, she doesn’t just tell stories — she holds up mirrors to the darker corners of the human experience, challenging readers to see themselves.
This Monster of Mine
In the shadowed streets of Edessa, a city where power is as fragile as it is dangerous, Sarai is no stranger to darkness. Four years ago, an attempt on her life left scars that cut deeper than skin. Now, a Petitor — a prosecutor with the rare ability to detect lies — she returns to confront the shadows of her past and the political corruption that festers in the city's heart.
This Monster of Mine consists of one book and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
