The Man or the Monster - (The Marghazar Trials) by Aamna Qureshi

About the Book

Short Summary: The sequel to The Lady or the Lion continues the Pakistan-inspired fantasy tale of forbidden love and political intrigue, wherein Princess Durkhanai, caught between opposite sides of a war, must choose between love and family, happiness and the crown, and forge her own path in the process.

Book Synopsis

She made her decision. Now she has to live with it.

Durkhanai Miangul sealed her lover's fate when she sent him through a door where either a lady or a lion awaited him. But her decision was only the beginning of her troubles. Durkhanai worries that she might not be the queen her people need or deserve when conflict threatens her kingdom.

Her presumed-dead father comes back with a vengeance and wishes she join him in his cause. But her family's denial of his revenge forces Durkhanai to take matters into her own hands and she must decide whether to follow the traditions of her forefathers or forge a new path on her own.

Review Quotes

"The sequel to The Lady or the Lion (2021) delivers drama, romance, and adventure . . . The diversity and inclusivity of the first entry are continued and extended here . . . Living up to the success of its predecessor, a fitting end to a saga of royal intrigue." --Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Aamna Qureshi is a Pakistani, Muslim American who adores words. She grew up on Long Island, New York, in a very loud household, surrounded by English (for school), Urdu (for conversation), and Punjabi (for emotion). Much of her childhood was spent being grounded for reading past her bed-time, writing stories in the backs of her notebooks, and being scolded by teachers for passing chapters under the tables. Through her writing, she wishes to inspire a love for the beautiful country and rich culture that informed much of her identity.
She attended Stony Brook University, where she received a Bachelors of Science in Applied Math and Statistics that taught her to solve problems, to think outside the box, and to recognize nuance, all things that come in handy when drafting a novel.

When she's not writing, she loves to travel to new places where she can explore different cultures or to Pakistan where she can revitalize her roots. She also loves baking complicated desserts, drinking fancy teas and coffees, watching sappy rom-coms, and going for walks about the estate (her backyard). She currently lives in New York. Look for her on IG @aamna_qureshi and Twitter @aamnaqureshi_.