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Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
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Synopsis
A nobleman's daughter with magic in her blood. An empire built on the dreams of enslaved gods. Empire of Sand is Tasha Suri's captivating, Mughal India-inspired debut fantasy. The Amrithi are outcasts; nomads descended of desert spirits, they are coveted and persecuted throughout the Empire for the power in their blood. Mehr is the illegitimate daughter of an imperial governor and an exiled Amrithi mother she can barely remember, but whose face and magic she has inherited. When Mehr's power comes to the attention of the Emperor's most feared mystics, she must use every ounce of will, subtlety, and power she possesses to resist their cruel agenda. Should she fail, the gods themselves may awaken seeking vengeance... Empire of Sand is a lush, dazzling fantasy novel perfect for readers of City of Brass and The Wrath & the Dawn.
Is Empire of Sand (The Books of Ambha Book 1) appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 14 and up.
Parents should know this book features a young woman facing persecution for her magical heritage, themes of slavery and oppression, moderate fantasy violence, and a developing romance with fade-to-black intimate scenes. The protagonist endures psychological manipulation and coercion from cruel mystics.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, moderate sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include child abuse, slavery, and captivity (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens will be drawn to Mehr's struggle to embrace her forbidden heritage and resist those who would use her power, set against a lush Mughal-inspired desert world with magic and romance.