Fateless

In a desert world in which the course of one’s life is determined by fate, 17-year-old Sparrow is destined be a thief. In fact, Sparrow is known as one of the best members of the Thieves’ Guild of Kovass. When the Circle, the enigmatic power brokers behind the guild, demand that Sparrow steal the memory stone, a priceless artifact once belonging to one of the mythical Deathless Kings who ruled long ago, she has no choice but to undertake the deadly assignment. But she’s betrayed by a trusted confidant, and a Deathless King is reborn when Sparrow inadvertently releases his bound soul from the stone. As the Deathless King schemes to conquer the world, Sparrow must run for her life, pursued by the tyrant’s blood mages and undead servants. Accompanied by mysterious iylvahn assassin Raithe, devil-may-care Halek, and flying beetle rider Kysa, Sparrow fights to defy her fate and take a stand against the reborn king. Familiar fantasy media tropes and elements include a slow-burning romance as Sparrow struggles to forge a new path from thief to hero. Kagawa (Lightningborn) utilizes fantastical imagery and memorable visuals to conjure a dangerous backdrop of dust, heat, and nonstop peril in this no-holds-barred adventure. Characters are described with varying complexions, some fanciful (Raithe has “twilight colored skin”). Ages 13–up. Agent: Laurie McLean, Fuse Literary. (July)