A Fire Born of Exile

'A great sapphic sci-fi' Samantha Shannon on The Red Scholar's WakeThe Scattered Pearls Belt is a string of habitats under tight military rule . . .where the powerful have become all too comfortable in their positions, and their corruption. But change is coming, with the arrival of Quynh: the mysterious and enigmatic Alchemist of Streams and Hills.To Minh, daughter of the ruling prefect of the Belt, Quynh represents a chance for escape. To Hoa, a destitute engineer, Quynh has a mysterious link to her own past .. . and holds a deeper, more sensual appeal.But Quynh has her own secret history, and a plan for the ruling class of the Belt. A plan that will tear open old wounds, shake the heavens, and may well consume her.A beautiful exploration of the power of love, of revenge, and of the wounds of the past, this fast-paced, heartwarming space opera is set against a backdrop of corruption, power, and political scheming in the far reaches of the award-winning Xuya universe.'De Bodard's worldbuilding dazzles ... a touching sci-fi romance that will delight fans and new readers alike'Publisher's Weekly starred review