The Bruising of Qilwa

Jamnia mixes magic and real-world conflict in their inventive but uneven debut fantasy. As a Sassanian and a practitioner of blood magic, Firuz-e Jafari is unjustly blamed for the plague sweeping their homeland of Dilmun, and they flee to the Free Democratic City State of Qilwa for refuge, where they hide their magic in order to protect themselves. They find work as an assistant to benevolent healer Kofi Nadifa, but just as they’re settling in, the discoveries of a series of rotting bodies spark fear of another plague. When Kofi’s patient Ahmed falls ill to the disease, Firuz throws caution to the wind by attempting to heal him with their blood magic—but they fail and Ahmed dies. Accused of his murder, Firuz must find a way to prove themselves innocent and end the bias against Sassanians. It’s a short, propulsive tale that admirably centers a strong queer protagonist and offers thought-provoking commentary on the struggles of refugees. The storytelling, though, can feel a bit rushed, with conflicts dismissed almost as soon as they’re introduced. Still, there’s plenty to enjoy for readers of LGBTQ fantasy. Agent: Erica Bauman, Aevitas Creative Management. (Aug.)