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In this atmospheric YA fantasy, four teens are drawn into a high-stakes heist in the perilous tomb of an ancient shapeshifter king.
About the author
Caitlin Sangster is the author of the Last Star Burning trilogy and the Gods-Touched duology. She is also the founder and cohost of the
Lit Service podcast. She grew up in the backwoods of northern California, has lived in China, Taiwan, Utah, and Montana and can often be found dragging her poor husband and four children onto hikes that feature far too many bears. You can find her online at CaitlinSangster.com.
Summary
In this atmospheric YA fantasy, four teens are drawn into a high-stakes heist in the perilous tomb of an ancient shapeshifter king.
Additional text
The newly discovered tomb of a long-dead shape-shifter that may contain a powerful and dangerous treasure draws the interest of four young people, each with their own motives for finding it.
Herbal healer Anwei has not given up on hunting for her twin brother’s killer, and now she finally has a lead on his murderer. Knox, her friend and partner in crime—they are thieves for hire—is a runaway from the Devoted, living in fear of discovery. The Devoted hunt Basists like Anwei, regarding them as wicked and inhuman. Meanwhile, Knox’s former best friend, Lia, struggles with the weight of her oaths to the Devoted and the heavy sacrifices they have required. Archaeology student Mateo searches for a cure for his fatal wasting sickness, unsure whether to believe legends of curses that follow from interfering with a shape-shifter’s burial place. Their paths lead them together, to long-forgotten secrets that may hold the key to what they seek. The worldbuilding, which includes a detailed cosmology, is strong without overreliance on exposition, and the setting’s magic system is well described without getting bogged down in minutiae. The characters are richly detailed, and the prose invites rereading of earlier passages after each flashback or revelatory conversation. The dramatic tension builds to a final plot twist that will delight fans of intricate, complex fantasies. Characters in this world have varied physical appearances; some naming conventions and other story elements seem to draw inspiration from diverse real-world cultures.
Will leave readers clamoring for more.
