Burn the Sea

Tewari’s bold debut reimagines the Portuguese attacks on South India in the 16th century as a vivid historical fantasy about resistance, sacrifice, and the cost of freedom. Abbakka Chowta was never meant to rule, and has instead spent years training to be a warrior on behalf of her sister, the future queen of Ullal. But tragedy strikes, and Abbakka is abruptly thrust onto the throne. With the threat of war mounting from the Porcugi, sea monsters that are half human and half snake, Abbakka is forced into a strategic marriage with the raja of a neighboring kingdom in hopes of saving Ullal. Abbakka battles her grief as she navigates a political minefield and intense court intrigue. Amid everything, Abbakka finds herself caught between two men, her charming yet spineless husband and her general, who hides his feelings behind his sense of duty. The book gets off to a somewhat slow start and there’s less battlefield action than readers might expect, but Tewari’s lush worldbuilding shines and, once the pace picks up, it’s easy to root for the fiercely loyal and determined Abbakka along her epic journey. The result is a vibrant homage to the warrior queen that should win Tewari many fans. Agent: Jennifer Azantian, Azantian Literary. (Apr.)