The Bladebone

May 1, 2020

In this continuation of the series begun with The Bloodprint by human rights lawyer-turned-mystery and fantasy author Khan, female warriors Sinnia, Arian, and the Citadel of Companions search frantically for a magical weapon called the Bladebone as the only way to defeat the evil One-Eyed Preacher. With a 35,000-copy first printing.

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Starred review from July 13, 2020
The grand finale to Zehanet Khan’s Khorasan Archives series (after The Blue Eye) resoundingly rounds out the series’ fierce feminist themes. After completing the mysterious ritual of Ascension, heroine Arian, the First Oralist of Hira, swears herself in service of justice, equity, and peace. She sets to work with others in Hira, the Citadel of female Companions, to fend off the Talisman, repressive male invaders, once and for all. Meanwhile Daniyar, the noble Silver Mage Arian loves, leaves her to help cleanse the lands of Khorasan of evil as enemy hordes besiege the walls of Ashfall, the Black Khan’s capital. Sophisticated political intrigue within both Hira and Ashfall complicate their separate missions, which are both liberally sprinkled with thoughtful musings on religion and philosophy. Fantasy fans will savor the luxurious prose and insights into the profundities of love and sacrifice. Bringing such a complex series to a satisfying end is no small feat, and Zehanat Khan pulls it off with grace. Agent: Danielle Burby, Hannigan Getzler Literary.

November 13, 2020
The war for Khorasan has reached a critical turning point. The evil One-Eyed Preacher, who has control of the sacred text The Bloodprint, is on the verge of taking Ashfall; and, by virtue of the chaos present, Hira, the holy city, is about to break. But Arian, Sinnia, and their supporters have not yet lost hope. Following a powerful ceremony, where Arian, the highly honored First Oralist, communicates with a higher power, she is gifted the powerful Sana Codex, which should help her defeat the seemingly all-powerful Preacher. While Arian is receiving the text that will help her, her protector Sinnia is also participating in the same ceremony, and is told of the Bladebone, a way to protect the First Oralist and their home. With a path to possible victory laid out, Arian, Sinnia, and company set off to accomplish what is needed to save their lives and salvage what they can of their world. The development of this world and the subsequent changes it undergoes are truly masterful and fascinating to watch play out through Khan's Khorasan Archives series (beginning with The Bloodprint, 2017).

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