'A relentlessly gripping, glorious epic fantasy - the exhilarating must-read fantasy debut of 2025'
Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne

A SONG OF REBELLION. A SONG OF WAR. A SONG OF LEGENDS LOST.

In the Nine Lands, only those of noble blood can summon the spirits of their ancestors to fight in battle. But when Temi, a commoner from the slums, accidentally invokes a powerful spirit, she finds it could hold the key to ending a centuries-long war.

But not everything that can be invoked is an ancestor. And some of the spirits that can be drawn from the ancestral realm are more dangerous than anyone can imagine.

'A truly excellent debut, with a genuinely fascinating magic system, engaging characters and deep worldbuilding. A fantastic read'
James Islington, author of The Will of the Many

'An epic tale of conflict, betrayal, and intrigue . . . M. H. Ayinde weaves a rich and engrossing story through a unique and fascinating world'
Anthony Ryan, author of Blood Song

'Stunning and vividly told . . . Ayinde is a master storyteller'
Andrea Stewart, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Bone Shard Daughter