The Nightward - (Waters of Lethe) by R S a Garcia (Paperback)

About the Book

"Sturgeon, Nebula, and Ignyte Awards finalist R.S.A. Garcia's fantasy debut novel--the first in a duology--in which Caribbean mythology meets The Witcher, introduces a world where women warrior-magicians rule, and a child princess and her bodyguard must flee an attempted coup and evade the wave of darkness sent to kill her-fans of Rebecca Roanhorse, John Gwynne, and Ava Reid's The Wolf and the Woodsman will find much to love in The Nightward"--

Book Synopsis

Sturgeon, Nebula, Locus, and Ignyte awards finalist R.S.A. Garcia's scifantasy debut novel--the first in a duology--in which Caribbean mythology meets The Witcher, introduces a world where women warrior-magicians rule, and a child princess and her bodyguard must flee an attempted coup and evade the wave of darkness sent to kill her.

For 500 years Gaiea's Hand has stood as a ward against the Dark. The Age of Chaos is a faded memory. The Goddess has left Gailand and given her Blessing to the Queens to rule in her stead.

Princess Viella of the court of Hamber is the Spirit of Gaiea, presumptive heir to the throne and budding wielder of magic. And yet she's still a child--not yet ten years old--and a day spent evading her teachers and her dutiful bodyguard, Luka, is much more satisfying than learning about telepathy, illusions, and other spells, or obeying even her mother, the Queen.

There is time enough...until there isn't.

For the night the Queen hosts the Ceremony to confirm Viella as the next Hand of Gaiea, everything changes for her--in the most horrific way imaginable: the assassination of Viella's mother.

Now Viella is Queen.

Luka, despite resenting his position as royal babysitter, does not hesitate. He rushes his charge from the Court and vows to keep her safe. Yet he is unsure how to help a burgeoning Hand of Gaiea, let alone contend with his place as a man in a matriarchal world and the secret that is burning inside him.

Together, they are on the run from darkness in a world where the lines between magic and technology are blurring and it's up to a child and her protector to bring clarity and light back to the Queendom.

Review Quotes

"The Nightward is a fascinating tale of royal politics, magic, and mayhem. R.S.A. Garcia expertly weaves a story that blends magic, technology, and mythology in the most riveting of ways. Set in a matriarchal society, The Nightward is a brilliant, timely read -- I blew through it in one sitting!" -- N.E. Davenport, author of The Blood Trials

"Get ready for an epic fantasy adventure with forbidden magic, high treason, and characters you'll fall in love with. Filled with shocking betrayals and gasp-worthy twists, The Nightward will leave you breathless. With action scenes that leap off the page, you'll want to keep reading long past your bedtime."
-- Jodi Meadows, New York Times bestselling coauthor of My Lady Jane

"No one builds worlds like R.S.A. Garcia--intricate, beautiful, and dangerous. A science fantasy epic with a rich foundation of Caribbean folklore, The Nightward expertly blends both genre and culture. Balancing grief and loss with her signature humor and heart, Garcia continues to prove that she is a master at her craft."
-- Kemi Ashing-Giwa, author of The Splinter in the Sky

"The Nightward takes off running and doesn't stop. Garcia has crafted a vibrant new science fantasy world filled to the brim with fabulous creatures, crackling action, and the persistent conviction that things are far stranger than they seem. Plus: war cats! Readers will be clamoring for the next volume in this exciting new duology from one of SFF's great talents." -- Samantha Mills, Nebula, Sturgeon, and Locus award-winning author of The Wings Upon Her Back

"The Nightward is a genre-defying epic that features intricate world building, a fast-paced plot, and characters who will quickly capture your heart. The story explores the meaning of equity and the corrupting influences of power, in a fantasy setting that is original yet feels ancient. With its clean prose, limitless creativity, and unexpected twists, this novel delivers on everything I've come to expect from R.S.A. Garcia in the best possible way." -- S.B. Divya, Nebula and Hugo finalist and author of Meru

"A book like rushing wind, whistling forward with action and wild discoveries. Garcia's world is richly imagined and has something for everybody who's ever loved either swords or sorceries." -- John Wiswell, author of Someone You Can Build A Nest In

"Epic along every axis, The Nightward is a complex tapestry of myth, loyalty, history, and power. I dare any author working in the fantasy space to create a land as rich and real, as inhabited with multilayered characters and deities, as Garcia's Gailand." -- Premee Mohammed, Nebula, World Fantasy, and Aurora award-winning author of the Beneath The Rising series

"The balance leans heavily high fantasy, but the possibility of breaking out of genre standards might keep readers hooked for the sequel...An intriguing magi-tech high-fantasy series opener that paves the way for chaos in the follow-up." -- Library Journal

"A new queen must learn the extent of her powers, and her relationship with her protector, as both are thrust into a world of science, magic, and a realm descending into chaos in this wildly imaginative, new voice in Fantasy. R.S.A. Garcia's new novel is an adventure and a half that never loses its touch with humanity." -- Tobias S. Buckell, New York Times bestselling author of the Halo and Xenowealth series

"Spellbinding from the first word to the last. R.S.A. Garcia's The Nightward is an expertly told genre-splicing story of a matriarchal society embroiled in political back-stabbing, dark magic and deception." -- Veronica G. Henry, author of The Canopy Keepers

"A compelling, complex, and absolutely captivating thrill-ride! R.S.A. Garcia builds layer upon layer of emotion, intrigue and adventure in a debut that will capture your heart." -- Samit Basu, Locus Award Finalist for The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport

"Harkening back to the best of fantasy in world building and scope, Garcia writes a new page all of her own that will be sure to keep readers turning. Fantasy at its most fantastical!" -- Ryan Van Loan, author of The Sin in the Steel

"In a word, brilliant!" -- Shari Paul, author of Wild Meat and Bek, Ascendant