«Moths to a Flame» by Sarah Ash

Twin slaves. A divided city. A goddess’s wrath. The first novel from the author of the Tears of Artamon trilogy, “an innovative fantasist” (Asimov’s).The once-wondrous land of Myn-Dhiel has suffered under the rule of the House of Memizhon. The decadent king and queen are slowly going insane, and the kingdom seems likely to sink under the weight of its decay.Twins Lai and Laili have spent their quiet lives as initiates of the Goddess on the peaceful island of Ael Lahi. But when they are captured and sold as slaves in the city, Lai must learn to fight for his life in the Arena while Laili is forced into service as the Arkhan’s concubine.The twins ultimately find their place in the intrigues and rivalries of the corrupt court. But discontent is simmering among the city’s oppressed people. When a mysterious cloud of moon moths brings a plague, revolution threatens to bring down the House of Memizhon. Lai and Laili may hold the key to saving the city—unless they too are engulfed in the conflagration.Praise for the Tears of Artamon Trilogy“Unusual . . . Exotic . . . Well worth the read!” —Katherine Kurtz, New York Times–bestselling author “A splendid tale . . . Ash is destined to be one of the bright luminaries of fantasy.” —Dennis L. McKiernan, national bestselling author“Rousing. . . . with its vivid 18th-century European flavor and fallen angels who evoke Paradise Lost. Lovers of big, complex fantasy sagas (think Robert Jordan or George R.R. Martin) will be well pleased.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)