Mahimata

March 1, 2019

While Kyra (heroine of Markswoman) was victorious in her duel with Tamsyn, the fight took its toll mentally and physically. Now she feels out of place back with the Order of Kali, even as she tries to pick up the pieces of her old life. With her teacher Shirin Mam dead, and her best friend Nineth gone, Kyra can't help but feel she's on another path. One that could include Rustan, the Marksman who was more than her duel teacher and friend. Rustan is on another journey also, leaving the Order of Khur because of his feelings for Kyra and seeking answers about his parentage. When Rustan meets with descendants tied to the alien Ones and the mysterious doors, he finds there are answers to his questions, but only if Rustan leaves behind his order--and Kyra. But Rustan and Kyra are brought together again, perhaps for their last moments, when the evil Kai Tau, who murdered Kyra's family, sets out against the Orders of Asiana. VERDICT Continuing a series that has enchanted readers, Mehrotra delivers another epic, action-packed fantasy in a desert world with a past full of secrets, in which every chapter reveals layered worldbuilding. [See Prepub Alert, 10/1/18.]--Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2019
Kyra, still physically healing from her successful battle with Tamsyn (Markswoman, 2018), is also emotionally wracked by the loss of her teacher and mentor, Shirin Mam. One night, Kyra ventures to her teacher's former bedchamber and finds a package containing two envelopes, one for herself and one for Rustan, Shirin Mam's son and Kyra's love. When Kyra opens her envelope, it sets off a course of events that propels her back to Rustan and to her greatest enemy, Kai Tau, the man who killed her family. Driven by revenge and a need to protect all of Asiana from Kai Tau, Kyra finds help in unexpected places. She also finds that her own power has been increased?but will it be enough to defeat Kai Tau? Mehrotra plays with the time line, giving readers a peek at Asiana before the Great War that led to the world Kyra fights for. Mahimata is a satisfying conclusion to this sf-fantasy duology, though fans will hope that this is not the last tale of Asiana and the world of the Markswomen. Recommended for all fantasy collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)