A Girl Is Eager To Push The Limits of Her Illegal Magic In This Excerpt from This Dark Descent
One of the most popular subgenres in the world of YA fiction over the past few years has been the magical competition. Whether strict tournaments, straightforward races, or complicated games, stories that pit a handful of friends against one another, or ask an entire town to take part, these tense, twisty adventures are both thrilling and fun to read. (Don’t be surprised if you tear through one in a day or two is what I’m saying.) The latest buzzy addition to this group is This Dark Descent, a new YA fantasy from Kalyn Josephson, the author of The Storm Crow.
The story follows Mikira, the daughter of a famous horse breeder who’s desperate to save her family farm—and her father’s life after he’s suddenly arrested thanks to a dangerous rival who wants to use his skills. To free him, she’ll have to team up with an unlicensed enchanter in order to win a dangerous cross-country horse race known as the Illnir that’s as famous for its high body count as it is for its life-changing prize money. Described as Peaky Blinders meets The Scorpio Races, This Dark Descent got a little bit of everything: Swoony romance, complex political intrigue, generational family grudges, and feisty heroines, all firmly grounded in fascinating elements from Jewish folklore.
This Dark Descent will hit shelves on September 26, but we’ve got an exclusive look at the story right now to help tide you over until then.
“Most of the history of that time was lost during the Burning,” Damien continued. “As were, supposedly, the books the Heretics used to gain their power. They were called the Racari, and they were said to have belonged to the four Harbingers. Some stories say the Heretics stole them, others that the Harbingers left them behind when they departed from humanity. Sendism and Kinnism differ quite dramatically on the subject.”
It felt strange to know that information herself. After weeks of reading books she’d only ever dreamed of having access to, she knew that while Kinnism believed the Harbingers moved on once they’d taught humanity all they could offer, Sendism preached that humanity drove the Harbingers away with their greed and lust for power, a sin all souls had to atone for when they died.
“Do you think this is one of those books?” She felt foolish asking it, but whatever the spellbook was, it wasn’t normal.
It is strength, said the voice.
“Shira thinks so.” His gaze dropped to the book. “Would you let me inspect it?”
Her reflex was to refuse. Parting with the book, leaving it in someone else’s hands—she shut the thoughts away. They weren’t hers, just like the voice that whispered in her ear. The spellbook was doing something to her, and she needed to understand what, preferably without revealing that she was hearing voices.
“You may,” she agreed. “But in exchange, I’d like your help furthering my magic.”