Dawn of the Firebird – Rana Sarah Mughal (2025)

The raven, crane and firebird each chose a human tribe, granting people heavenly magic. But the power in human hands caused endless wars over land. When mankind was destroyed, the birds perished, taking their magic with them. Magic is now rare and war is common. Khamilla Zahr-zad, the discarded daughter of an emperor, is raised by her mother’s nomadic tribe until a violent raid brings her peaceful life to an end. Amid the chaos and death, the heavenly magic of nur awakens within her, giving her the power to wield cosmic light. Khamilla suddenly changes from an outsider into a weapon and is finally accepted at her father’s court. Now deemed worthy, she trains in combat and poisons, pledging loyalty to his throne. But tragedy strikes again. When her clansmen are defeated by a rival empire, Khamilla vows lasting vengeance and escapes. She is not alone, however: something shadows her and feeds her darkness. Hiding her identity, Khamilla infiltrates the enemy’s army academy, where she studies jinn, magic and martial arts under ruthless mystic monks in an attempt to bring down an empire from within. As she studies, Khamilla begins to question her father’s teachings on war and rule. With war spreading across the kingdoms and a twisted magic taking hold, she is torn between two impossible choices: revenge or freedom. With beautiful prose, a captivating magic system and morally grey characters, this novel embraces rich Islamic culture and raises provocative questions about individual power, choice and the cost of war.