Khya is a trained warrior on the island of Shiara. From day one she is told to give everything to her people, but when her brother goes missing and her council betrays her, she sets out to save him and her island home.
Publisher’s Description:
“In Khya’s world, every breath is a battle.
On the isolated desert island of Shiara, dying young is inevitable. The clan comes before self, and protecting her home means Khya is a warrior above all else.
But when following the clan and obeying their leaders could cost her brother his life, Khya’s home becomes a deadly trap. The only person who can help is Tessen, her lifelong rival and the boy who challenges her at every turn. The council she hoped to join has betrayed her, and their secrets, hundreds of years deep, reach around a world she’s never seen.”
Genre: Fantasy
Representation:
Gender:
Cis girls: Khya
Cis boys: Tessen
Intersex: Etaro, Sanii
Shiaran society includes three genders – male, female and ebet (uses eir/ey pronouns)
According to an author tweet ebet is most closely related to our definition of intersex.
Sexual and Romantic Orientation
Bisexual or pansexual: Khya
Asexual: Etaro
Romantic orientation is not mentioned in the book, it is presumed to be the same as the characters’ sexual orientation.
Race/Ethnicity: Not mentioned.
Disability:
Additional Notes: In Shiaran society bisexuality and pansexuality are the most common sexuality, though other orientations exist. Asexuality is known as ‘ushimo’. Shiaran society also includes three sexes: male, female and ebet (intersex; ey/eir pronouns).