by Kerstin Hall
First published 2019
Vasethe arrives at the railway tracks where they meet the saltpan, seeking out a mysterious woman known as the end-of-the-line woman. She lives on the Ahri side of the shadowline, and locals once whispered stories about her in the old days. Vasethe carries a troubled past and needs a favor that only she can grant. The woman is not what she appears to be, and helping Vasethe means entering Mkalis, the sprawling world of spirits. This realm contains nine hundred and ninety-nine domains where gods and demons fight without end. Vasethe must navigate the complex bureaucracy of demon territories, cross impossible oceans, and locate hidden fortresses. His journey through Mkalis threatens to expose secrets he has kept buried. What he discovers could destroy the delicate balance between worlds and bring chaos to both the spirit realm and his own. At its heart, this is a story about loss, renewal, and the weight of motherhood.
Genres: fiction, mythology, literary-fiction, fantasy
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, secrets
Setting: Ahri, Mkalis
Kindle Edition · Tor.com