This Blade of Ours
#1 Sunday Times Bestselling Author
Death isn't finished with them yet.
Sarai believed the worst was behind her. However, months after exposing the government’s corruption in what has now been deemed “the Great Unravelling,” she faces scorn from citizens who preferred her and Kadra as the underdogs. Worse, eerie omens rock the country: from a deadly plague outbreak to a sweeping madness that leave the afflicted ranting of an approaching reckoning. Accused of angering the gods, Sarai returns to the only place that can clear her name: Ur Dinyé’s frozen north. But among the secrets buried in its ice are Kadra’s.
When historical tensions between the north and the south worsen, a powerful religious order seizes control in the chaos, led by a man whose very voice can kill—Noceo bu Kader. Trapped between love and a crumbling country, Sarai and Kadra must outwit a power with roots as deep in fear as in cruelty. But the gods are always watching, and Sarai and Kadra may not escape a second time.
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.
