The Killing Spell - by Shay Kauwe (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In this spellbinding fantasy debut set in a future where language magic reigns, a young Hawaiian woman must solve a murder to clear her name.

Kea Petrova is dealing with more than her fair share of trouble.

At just twenty-five years old, she's the youngest of five Hawaiian clan leaders living on the Homestead in outer Los Angeles. Nearly 200 years ago, when a catastrophic flood submerged the Hawaiian islands and unleashed magic into the world, these clans forged a treaty with the city, establishing a new Hawaiian homeland. But that treaty is about to expire.

Kea struggles to keep her small clan afloat, scraping together rent each month through odd jobs and selling her own crafted Hawaiian language spells. While her talent for language magic is her saving grace, she feels like a shadow of those who came before her. Just when she thinks things can't get any more complicated, the murder of Angelo Reyes--LA's most prominent Filipino activist--turns her world upside-down.

Angelo was killed by a death spell--something that, due to the properties of each school of language magic, can only exist in Hawaiian. With independent spellsmithing being technically illegal, Kea quickly becomes the prime suspect, known for her spellwork on the Homestead. To clear her name, she must unravel the mystery behind Angelo's murder and confront LA's most powerful (and dangerous) players, each wielding their own type of magic. The clock is ticking--can Kea save herself, her clan, and the Homestead before it's too late?

Review Quotes

"Fascinating linguistic-turned-magical theory, electrifying moments of intimacy, and a thrilling whodunit set this apart from the pack."--Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"High-spirited, inventive, and action-packed, The Killing Spell is a skillfully constructed murder mystery that weaves together magic and romance, family and resistance, while showcasing the power of 'olelo--the Hawaiian spoken word. It's a dazzling debut."

--Chris McKinney, author of The Tattoo and the Water City Trilogy

"Pulsing with language-based magic, Kauwe's mystery debut unapologetically rips into the legacy of colonialism on Native Hawaiians. An exceptional addition to fantasy and Pacific Islander literature."

--Manuia Heinrich, author of Salt Water Blood

"A thrilling mystery with a bold and exciting linguistic magic system and themes painfully familiar to the Hawaiian diaspora in the modern day, The Killing Spell is a deeply Hawaiian--and human--story. Kea's powerful voice will stay with you like magic... the dangerous kind."

--Aleese Lin, author of Samantha Spük: Paranormal Wedding Planner

"An absolutely fantastic debut. A fantasy steeped in language magic and a murder mystery, The Killing Spell serves as a thoughtful exploration of the consequences of colonization and the choices the colonized are forced to make in order to survive. I tore through this book and loved every second. Shay Kauwe is a talent to watch."

--Rebecca Roanhorse, New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award-winning author of the Between Earth & Sky trilogy

About the Author

Shay Kauwe was born and raised on the island of O'ahu and grew up on the Hawaiian Homelands in Waimanalo. She worked in Russia as an English teacher but was eventually drawn back home. While she has a corporate job in telecommunications, Shay continues to educate with the Hawaii Literacy Project. She resides in Honolulu with her husband, Denis, and their poi dog, Iris. Learn more about Shay at ShayKauwe.com and on Instagram @ShayKauwe.