Spin of Fate

Informationen zum Autor Ambika Vora-Nagino (writing as A. A. Vora) is an Indian Japanese author born in Mumbai and based in Tokyo. After receiving a bachelor's in economics from Princeton University and an MBA from the University of Cambridge, she worked in management consulting with a focus on digital transformation and healthcare. Outside work, she is a fervid Naruto fan who enjoys competitive Pokémon battling with her husband, playing with her newborn, and going on runs with her spitz dog Fëanor. Klappentext "In a universe that segregates beings based on the weight of their souls into upper realms of peace and lower realms of strife, three teenagers join a rebel group defying the powers that be by bringing aid to the inhabitants of the lower realms"-- Leseprobe Prologue A Flash of White A sharp twang pulled Aina from troubled dreams. She staggered to her feet, ignoring the pro­test of her muscles as she grabbed her bow and slung a quiver across her back. Razor wire hung across the craggy walls like the web of some monstrous spider. One of the trip wires stretched taut. Aina followed its trembling path out of the cave and into the moonless night. Her mother whittled a thumb-sized stone by the fire, her back rigid as a blade. What are you doing up so early? she barked without looking up from her task. Aina watched, transfixed, as her mother ran a finger over the stone, caressing away tiny chunks as if they were carved at knife­point. But her mother had never needed a knife. Not when she could shape the world around her through channeling. The stone figure took on the form of a horned monkey with spines that glinted in the firelight. Will you give me that once you're done? Aina asked. I want to add it to my collection. I'll give you a tight slap if you don't go back to sleep. You'll never learn to channel without proper rest. Something triggered one of my trip wires Aina had barely gotten the words out when her mother sprang to her feet with a curse. I meant a wild animal, Mama. The wire's intact; it would've snapped under the weight of a human. Say that part first, idiot girl, her mother scolded before set­tling back by the fire. Aina ignored the withering glare cast her way. The trip wires hardly mattered, given that her mother had channeled a protec­tive shield around their hideout. Kaldrav's stupid soldiers would bounce right off it if they approached, alerting her of their pres­ence. And providing her mother's inexhaustible wrath with another target, for a change. And where the blazes do you think you're going? her mother demanded. To get us some food. I'm starving, Mama. That's why I can't channel properly. Her mother made to stand again, but Aina placed a hand on her arm. Under the threadbare cloak, her mother's arm felt brittle as a twig. Shadows ringed her eyes and wrinkles forked across her weathered skin. It's probably just a rat, Aina said. Let me handle it. You get some rest for once. You've had it from me if you're not back within ten minutes. Aina nodded with a glance at the wire. It gave a violent tremor and stretched to the verge of snapping. Larger than a rat. Aina set off into the skeletal forest, squinting through the gloom. Fourteen years in Malin had given her excellent night vision. But today was murkier than usual, as if the misery of the realm had condensed into a grim fog that obscured everything beyond a few feet in any direction. Aina's heart stopped at a gleam of cobalt blue through the haze. That can't be what I think it is . . . But as she inched closer the monstrous form grew clear: a giant nagamor, asleep outside the shimmering dome of her mother's shield. The peacock snake lay in a mound of coils, each as wide as a tree trunk. Aina crept past the beast and released a tremulous breath. It was just their stink...

Autorentext

Ambika Vora-Nagino (writing as A. A. Vora) is an Indian Japanese author born in Mumbai and based in Tokyo. After receiving a bachelor’s in economics from Princeton University and an MBA from the University of Cambridge, she worked in management consulting with a focus on digital transformation and healthcare. Outside work, she is a fervid Naruto fan who enjoys competitive Pokémon battling with her husband, playing with her newborn, and going on runs with her spitz dog Fëanor.

Klappentext

In a universe that segregates beings based on the weight of their souls into upper realms of peace and lower realms of strife, three teenagers join a rebel group defying the powers that be by bringing aid to the inhabitants of the lower realms.

Zusammenfassung
**Magnificent Beasts. Unforgiving Magic. Epic Battles.

An Ember in the Ashes meets Avatar: The Last Airbender in this propulsive, not-to-be-missed high fantasy debut loosely inspired by karma.

Aina’s world is governed by Toranic Law, a force that segregates people into upper and lower realms. It’s said that if the sinful lowers commit themselves to kindness and charity, their souls will lighten, allowing them into the peaceful upper realms.

But Aina, one of the few lowers to ever ascend, just wants to go back home.

Aina is desperate to reunite with her mother, hoping she’s survived the beasts and wars of her homeland alone. After failing to weigh down her soul with petty crimes, Aina joins a rebel group defying the authorities and bringing aid to those condemned to a life of suffering in the lower realms. Alongside Aina are two new recruits: Meizan, a ruthless fighter trying to save his clan from extinction, and Aranel, a spoiled noble spying for the powers that be.

Before long, the rebels find themselves in the middle of a brewing war. On one side, a violent king of a lower realm is bent on destroying Toranic Law; on the other, the authorities of the upper realms will do anything to stay on top. Now the young rebels must face both sides head-on if they want to stop a conflict that could break not only Toranic Law—but the universe itself.