The Lady of Rapture - (Bones of Ruin Trilogy) by Sarah Raughley

About the Book

The elite Enlightenment Committee, faces a world-ending threat as Hiva, once believed to be an apocalyptic force, is revealed to be a person, Iris Marlow, an immortal African tightrope dancer seeking revenge after her murder by her own friends, while another Hiva emerges with a destructive agenda, marking the beginning of the Cataclysm.

Book Synopsis

Penny Dreadful meets The Gilded Wolves in this breathtaking finale to the young adult historical fantasy Bones of Ruin trilogy!

For years, the elite secret society called the Enlightenment Committee has waited for the apocalyptic force known as Hiva to destroy the world as it has so many times before. What the Committee didn't know, however, was that Hiva wasn't an event--it was a person.

Iris Marlow. An African tightrope dancer with no memories of her past. A girl who cannot die.

At least, she couldn't die. Until her own friends discovered her one weakness and murdered her once and for all. The world-ending threat she posed should be gone too, but there's one more Hiva out there, and unlike Iris, this one has no love for humanity. In her absence, this Hiva has taken it upon himself to judge if humanity deserves to live.

But when it comes to Hivas, the judgment is always the same. The ending is always total destruction. And while Iris is dead, she's not gone--and after the betrayal that ended her life as Iris, she is now out for revenge.

The world's days are numbered. The Cataclysm has begun.

Review Quotes

"Bloodily spectacular. The Bones of Ruin builds page after page of visceral intrigue, steamrolling toward the end of the world in Victorian London. These characters could tear you apart, but you will love them all the same. Sarah Raughley's world breathes true to the past and yet gleams brilliantly new."

--Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times bestselling author of THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS and OUR VIOLENT ENDS

"Sarah Raughley proves once again that, like her intricate worlds and wonderful characters, she is a master of decolonization and a force to be reckoned with."--E.K. Johnston, New York Times bestselling author on THE BONES OF RUIN

"The fantastical premise supports a multilayered plot and vibrant characters. Meanwhile, themes of racial abuse, violence, and rebirth, paired with a wealth of romantic options, add further complexity to this series starter."--Publishers Weekly on THE BONES OF RUIN "September 27, 2021"

"This cryptic, enticing journey is told in alternating, third-person perspectives: Adam's cold and calculating, Iris' searching and daring. The author builds a delicious tension that will have readers putting the pieces together as the end of the world nears and wanting more after they reach the climactic cliffhanger ending. A rousing series opener."--Kirkus Reviews on THE BONES OF RUIN "July 15, 2021"

About the Author

Sarah Raughley grew up in Southern Ontario writing stories about freakish little girls with powers because she secretly wanted to be one. She is a huge fangirl of anything from manga to sci-fi fantasy TV to Japanese role-playing games and other geeky things, all of which have largely inspired her writing. Sarah has been nominated for the Aurora Award for Best YA Novel and works in the community doing writing workshops for youths and adults. On top of being a YA writer, Sarah has a PhD in English, which makes her a doctor, so it turns out she didn't have to go to medical school after all. As an academic, Sarah has taught undergraduate courses and acted as a postdoctoral fellow. Her research concerns representations of race and gender in popular media culture, youth culture, and postcolonialism. She has written and edited articles in political, cultural, and academic publications. She continues to use her voice for good. You can find her online at SarahRaughley.com.