Black as Diamond

Agoawike debuts with a confident introduction to a vast epic fantasy world. Asaru’s brother has gone missing and with him the powerful magical object his people need to find the Chronicler, the only person who may know how to stop the mysterious Black Diamond curse that threatens to kill them all. When Asaru sets out to find him, he’s possessed by a mysterious force that compels him to kill the king of Estyria. Elsewhere, Wren, a failed healer, casts what he thinks is a simple luck spell and accidentally summons Asaru from the midst of the battle that is about to end his life, binding them irrevocably together. Wracked with guilt, Wren offers to take the gravely wounded Asaru to his former guild to heal him, kingslayer or no. When Asaru realizes he has been infected by the Black Diamond curse, he and Wren must outrun not only the law and whatever corrupting force aims to control Asaru, but also Asaru’s own body. Agoawike’s worldbuilding is miles deep, complete with two competing magic systems. Readers will have to put in work to keep up, but those who do will be rewarded with tantalizing bits of lore on every page and a dynamic and devoted central duo. It’s an impressive start overflowing with color, queerness, and magic. (Mar.)