A gripping, vividly depicted tale of revenge.
A young woman wrongfully imprisoned for murder embarks on a quest for vengeance, aided by a new ally and powerful, perilous magic.
Dania has spent nearly a year in prison, framed for a murder she didn’t commit. In her solitude, her anger has grown, fueling her plans for escape and retribution against those who betrayed her. At the top of her list is Mazin, her childhood best friend and first love, who sacrificed her to serve Emperor Vahid. With the help of her cellmate Noor, also seeking revenge against the emperor, Dania escapes. Noor possesses zoraat seeds, a potent djinn magic Vahid used to conquer Dania’s kingdom, and together, they plan to use it to achieve justice. After using zoraat powder to alter her appearance, Dania meticulously executes a plan to weaken her enemies, but the powerful magic threatens to consume her, and her unresolved feelings for Mazin add further complications. Varga’s debut—a Pakistani-inspired reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo—presents a fierce, sword-wielding heroine, intense combat, unpredictable magic, and a fiery romance. Flashbacks labeled “Before” reveal Dania’s complex ties to Mazin and others, while Pakistani cultural elements enrich the story’s setting.
A vividly depicted, fast-paced revenge fantasy. (Fantasy. Ages 13-18)
