In the first book of a new series inspired by African mythology, dragon gods rule the earth and sky—until the gods are betrayed, and one girl embarks on a journey to save the world from war and ruin. From the New York Times bestselling author of Skin of the Sea.The people are calling . . .And the gods will answer.Moremi has only ever known peace in the Kingdom of Kwa, thanks to the two dragon gods keeping an unspeakable evil at bay. But when the king tries to claim the gods’ power for himself, it all goes dreadfully wrong. The great dragons are injured and flee . . . and the world’s darkest shadows are released.
Suddenly, Kwa’s ancient tales of monsters become all too real. Yet as death comes for those around her, Moremi somehow finds herself magically connected to
both dragon gods—a feat that should be impossible.
Now, Moremi is Kwa’s only hope for restoring the gods to full strength. But will Jagun, the mysterious prince, let her anywhere near the dragons? And how does her childhood friend, Nox, feel about it all? It may not matter in the end, because if Moremi fails her quest, then she risks the earth caving in and the sky crumbling down.
On sale: February 10, 2026
Age: 14 and up
Grade: Grade 9 & Up
Page count: 368 Pages
ISBN: 9780593898154
Reading level: Lexile: 860L
Natasha Bowen is the
New York Times bestselling author of
Skin of the Sea and
Soul of the Deep. She is of Nigerian and Welsh descent and lives in Cambridge, England, where she grew up. Natasha studied English and creative writing at Bath Spa University before moving to East London, where she taught for nearly ten years. She is obsessed with Japanese and German stationery and spends stupid amounts on notebooks, which she then features on her secret Instagram. When she's not writing, she's reading, watched over carefully by Milk and Honey, her cat and dog.
★ "Intricate worldbuilding expands on popular fantasy tropes while crafting exhilarating new twists on common myths about the creation of humankind in this
gripping tale of first love, divided loyalties, and loss narrated in doubting yet courageous Moremi’s sincere first-person POV." —
Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "
A vivid, powerful fantasy brimming with dragons, betrayal, and destiny." —
School Library Journal, starred review
"
[A] wellcrafted homage to fantasy, adventure, and of course, dragons." —
Booklist
"Bowen weaves together
a powerful story of faith and persistence...the novel is a strong choice for readers looking for adventure, magic, and dragons."
—The Bulletin
