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.

About the Author
R.S.A. Garcia is a Nebula Award winning writer of speculative fiction. She is also the winner of the MIFRE Media Award, and a Sturgeon, Locus and Ignyte Award finalist. Her Amazon Bestselling science fiction mystery, Lex Talionis, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and the Silver Medal for Best Scifi/Fantasy/Horror Ebook from the Independent Publishers Awards (2015). She has published short fiction in venues such as Clarkesworld Magazine, Uncanny Magazine, Escape Pod, Strange Horizons and Internazionale Magazine. Her stories have been long-listed for the British Science Fiction Awards, translated into several languages, and included in a number of anthologies, including the critically acclaimed The Best of World SF, The Best Science Fiction of the Year, and The Apex Book of World SF. Her scifantasy duology, beginning with The Nightward, is forthcoming from Harper Voyager in October, 2024. She lives in Trinidad and Tobago with an extended family and too many cats. Learn more at rsagarcia.com.

Reviews
"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 "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 "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



Book Information
ISBN 9780063345751
Author R.S.A. Garcia
Format Paperback
Page Count 432
Imprint Harper Voyager
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Weight(grams) 454g
Dimensions(mm) 203mm * 135mm * 26mm