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The Sins On Their Bones by Laura R. Samotin
Set in a Jewish folklore-inspired reimagining of 19th century Eastern Europe, this queer dark fantasy debut pits two estranged husbands and a daring spymaster on opposite sides of a civil war. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, C.S. Pacat, Ava Reid, and Katherine Arden.
 
Dimitri Alexeyev used to be the Tzar of Novo-Svitsevo. Now, he is merely a broken man, languishing in exile after losing a devastating civil war instigated by his estranged husband, Alexey Balakin. In hiding with what remains of his court, Dimitri and his spymaster, Vasily Sokolov, engineer a dangerous ruse. Vasily will sneak into Alexey's court under a false identity to gather information, paving the way for the usurper's downfall, while Dimitri finds a way to kill him for good.
 
But stopping Alexey is not so easy as plotting to kill an ordinary man. Through a perversion of the Ludayzim religion that he terms the Holy Science, Alexey has died and resurrected himself in an immortal, indestructible body--and now claims he is guided by the voice of God Himself. Able to summon forth creatures from the realm of demons, he seeks to build an army, turning Novo-Svitsevo into the greatest empire that history has ever seen.
Dimitri is determined not to let Alexey corrupt his country, but saving Novo-Svitsevo and its people will mean forfeiting the soul of the husband he can't bring himself to forsake--or the spymaster he's come to love.

The Sins On Their Bones by Laura R. Samotin

£16.99Price

  • Format: Paperback

    ISBN: 9781039007567

    Imprint: Random House Canada

  • "Samotin's breathtaking debut is a Gothic, deeply Jewish tale about love's power to both wound us and set us free. Passionate and gruesome, heart-pounding and poignant, this story will be carved into your very bones." --Allison Saft, New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic

     

    "I really enjoyed this read--sweeping yet intimate, gory and chilling, and impossible to put down. The point at which the story begins--after Dimitri loses the war to Alexey--was a great choice, and I appreciate how carefully Laura R. Samotin delved into the depths of trauma, depression, and grief, while still leaving room for humour and hope." --Samantha Shannon, New York Times bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree

     

    "The Sins on Their Bones is a novel of grief flayed open with surgical care, a story like a broken bone healing stronger than before. From war-torn shuls to opulent palaces to hidden rooms with cold secrets, Samotin has created a queer Jewish fantasy world that feels real enough to step into. The journey is dark, but never lonely." --Lauren Ring, World Fantasy Award winner and Nebula finalist

     

    "Intense and visceral, with a romance that showcases the restorative power of love on the wounded, this stunning debut will leave you spellbound from the first page." --Aden Polydoros, author of The City Beautiful and World Fantasy Award finalist

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