The Bladebone - (Khorasan Archives) by Ausma Zehanat Khan (Paperback)

About the Book

Armed with the powerful sorcery of the Bloodprint and supported by the Talisman, the oppressive One-Eyed Preacher is on the verge of conquering Ashfall, the Black Khan's capital in the west. Yet not all is lost for Arian, Sinnia and the Council of Hira. If these brave female warriors can uncover the secrets of an ancient magic weapon known as the Bladebone, they can defeat the Preacher and crush his cruel regime.

Book Synopsis

A powerful band of women warriors must face off against an oppressive enemy in one final showdown that will determine their survival and the fate of their world in this concluding volume in Ausma Zehanat Khan's powerful fantasy series--an epic of magic, bravery, adventure, and the fight for freedom that lies "somewhere between N. K. Jemisin and George R. R. Martin" (Saladin Ahmed).

Armed with the powerful sorcery of the Bloodprint and supported by the
Talisman, the oppressive One-Eyed Preacher is on the verge of conquering
Ashfall, the Black Khan's capital in the west. Yet not all is lost for Arian,
Sinnia and the Council of Hira. If these brave female warriors can uncover the
secrets of an ancient magic weapon known as the Bladebone, they can defeat the
Preacher and crush his cruel regime.
Neither
Arian and Sinnia, nor their allies, the Mages of Khorasan, know the Bladebone's
whereabouts, and not all may survive the search to uncover it. Pursued by a
nefarious enemy aligned with the Preacher, they become separated, each
following a different path. Then, in their darkest hour, unexpected help
appears. But is the Khanum of Black Aura a friend or foe? Arian may discover
the answer too late.
When
the secret of the Bladebone is finally revealed, the knowledge comes at a
devastating price for Arian. As the capital falls, only Hira, home of the
Companions, stands in the way of the Preacher's victory. While the Companions
rise to defend their Citadel from enemies outside and within, Arian must face
off in a cataclysmic battle with the Preacher that pits the powers of the
Bloodprint against the Sana Codex.
For those who survive, Khorasan will never be the same.

Review Quotes

"The grand finale to Zehanat Khan's Khorasan Archives series (after The Blue Eye) resoundingly rounds out the series' fierce feminist themes...Fantasy fans will savor the luxurious prose and insights into the profundities of love and sacrifice. Bringing such a complex series to a satisfying end is no small feat, and Zehanat Khan pulls it off with grace." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"The development of this world and the subsequent changes it undergoes are truly masterful and fascinating to watch play out through Khan's Khorasan Archives series." - Booklist
"Fans of Saladin Ahmed's Middle Eastern fantasy worlds will appreciate this series for its non-European flavor; those who enjoy Katherine Kurtz's Deryni books will savor its detailed worldbuilding and shifting alliances."
- Library Journal
"Nuanced in showing the value of history and religion and the damage willful ignorance can inflict. And if it's plot twists you're after [it] has plenty of them--and an exciting cliffhanger, too."
- Washington Post on The Bloodprint
"The Bloodprint is extraordinary. The book is wonderfully written; its poetic prose and mix of history, faith, and adventure reminiscent of a post-apocalyptic Odyssey . . . this time with a pair of women warriors at the helm.''
- S.A. Chakraborty, author of The City of Brass, on The Bloodprint
"Khan draws on her Muslim heritage and Middle Eastern history to root her dark fantasy in distressingly believable realities, and avoids the middle book slump by ramping up complex plot twists, character betrayals, and other surprises with a crime-writer's aplomb." - B&N Sci-fi and Fantasy Blog, Best of October 2018, on The Black Khan
"Ultimately, it is the feminist themes that shine throughout that make this not only a worthwhile read for any fantasy fan, but a series that will stand the test of time. Khan has proved herself a master of the genre by telling a timely, necessary story." - Booklist (starred review) on The Blue Eye
"[Khan's] lush descriptive passages, echoes of Mideastern lore, and alluring glimpses of idyllic love ring true. . . . With strong writing and vigorous pacing, this is a satisfying addition to the series." - Publishers Weekly on The Blue Eye