Review copies of THE BRUISING OF QILWA by Samuel R. Delany Fellowship recipient Naseem Jamnia are now available via EDELWEISS and NETGALLEY.

THE BRUISING OF QILWA

by Naseem Jamnia

ISBN: Print: 9781616963781; Digital: 9781616963798

Published: August 2022

Available Format(s): Trade Paperback and Digital

In this intricately layered debut fantasy, a nonbinary refugee practitioner of blood magic discovers a strange disease causing political rifts in their new homeland. Persian-American author Naseem Jamnia has crafted a gripping narrative with a moving, nuanced exploration of immigration, gender, healing, and family.

Firuz-e Jafari is fortunate enough to have immigrated to the Free Democratic City-State of Qilwa, fleeing the slaughter of other traditional Sassanian blood magic practitioners in their homeland. Despite the status of refugees in their new home, Firuz has a good job at a free healing clinic in Qilwa, working with Kofi, a kindly new employer, and mentoring Afsoneh, a troubled orphan refugee with powerful magic.

But Firuz and Kofi have discovered a terrible new disease which leaves mysterious bruises on its victims. The illness is spreading quickly through Qilwa, and there are dangerous accusations of ineptly performed blood magic. In order to survive, Firuz must break a deadly cycle of prejudice, untangle sociopolitical constraints, and find a fresh start for their both their blood and found family.

Powerful and fascinating, The Bruising of Qilwa is the newest arrival in the era of fantasy classics such as the Broken Earth Trilogy, THE FOUR PROFOUND WEAVES, and Who Fears Death.

Naseem Jamnia is a bold, visionary writer, and THE BRUISING OF QILWA makes for a superb introduction to their nuanced and evocative Persian-inspired fantasy.

—David Anthony Durham, author of the Acacia Trilogy