Rick Riordan Presents: A Touch of Blood - by Sajni Patel (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Eshani, a nagin, is whisked to the Nightmare Realm, where she faces terrifying monsters, a treacherous court, and a mysterious boy"--

Book Synopsis

Read the Persephone myth like never before in this companion to A Drop of Venom by Sajni Patel, where Greek mythology meets Indian lore.

Gods are made, not born.

Before Manisha, the youngest of three sisters, was sent to hide on the floating mountain, her eldest sister, Eshani, made a deal with the shades. In order to save her people in the midst of a tragic war, she exchanged her life for theirs. Now, years later, the shades claim their due, dragging Eshani into the Nightmare Realm where she must find the Gatekeeper to fulfill her end of the bargain.

Nothing is as it seems in a land filled with ravenous monsters, ghoulish residents, and a river full of the dead. But most terrifying of all is the Shadow King, who intends to use Eshani to obtain immortality. As it turns out, Eshani--nicknamed "little goddess of spring"--is the key to fulfilling the Nightmare Realm's prophecy. There's only one person who can help Eshani escape, and he has his own problems.

Hiran has spent most of his life hiding, but destiny beckons, and he can no longer resist the call of the realm. But how can a stowaway, long thought to be dead, save an entire world?

Nothing will stop the Nightmare Realm from getting what it wants. Except maybe a king in the making and a goddess rising.

Endorsed by Rick Riordan, author of the Disney+ hit series Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Review Quotes

PRAISE FOR A DROP OF VENOM

Read Across America Featured YA Title, October 2024

★ "This thrilling, well-paced fantasy, with rich worldbuilding and a slow-burn romance, powerfully reclaims Medusa as a symbol of feminist rage. A gripping, magical tale of sisterhood and strength." --Kirkus (starred review)

★ "Urgent and vital."
--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

★ "Equal parts perfect character development and page-turning plot."
--School Library Journal (starred review)

"For every survivor in every age in every world."
--Rick Riordan, New York Times #1 best-selling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series

"A Drop of Venom is visceral, unflinching, and completely captivating. In blending Indian mythology with the tale of Medusa, Sajni Patel has created something powerful, furious, and truly magical. I couldn't look away."
--Sarah Underwood, New York Times best-selling author of Lies We Sing to the Sea

"With a powerful message that is as mesmerizing as its mythical monsters, A Drop of Venom is storytelling at its finest; tackling tough issues with both frankness and compassion."
--Farrah Rochon, New York Times best-selling author of Almost There, A Twisted Tale

"A vivid tale of myths and legends, Sajni Patel's A Drop of Venom is a story of tragedy and retribution, and I drank it down."
--Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Three Dark Crowns

"One of the most terrifying--and misunderstood--villains in mythology is finally given her due in this vivid fantasy laced with forbidden romance, unspeakable horrors, and the ever-alluring gray area between heroes and monsters."
--Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Lunar Chronicles

PRAISE FOR A TOUCH OF BLOOD

★ "A riveting companion novel that will leave readers eager for more."
--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Patel expertly blends Indian lore with the foundational narrative of Persephone's sojourn in this equally dark and cyclical take on the myth. Readers will find Patel's descriptions intense and as nightmarishly immersive as the underworld they describe."
--Booklist

About the Author

Sajni Patel is an award-winning author of women's fiction and young adult books. Her works have appeared on numerous Best Of the Year and Must Read lists from Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, Apple Books, AudioFile, Tribeza, NBC, Insider, and many others.