We Hunt the Flame (Sands of Arawiya #1)(130)
Special thanks to Joy Peskin, Jen Besser, Jon Yaged, Allison Verost, Katie Halata, Mary Van Akin, Kathryn Little, Tom Mis, and Gaby Salpeter. To Melissa Sarver White at Folio Lit, for taking We Hunt the Flame abroad. To Virginia Allyn, for the gorgeous map, and Erin Fitzsimmons, for the typography. To Simón Prades, for the amazing cover. To Jenny Bent for your never-ending support and love, and agent extraordinaires Molly O’Neill and Suzie Townsend. To Sharon Biggs Waller and Leigh Bardugo, for empowering me from the very beginning, and V. E. Schwab for answering my many questions about how to get published. To Stephanie Garber, Lee Kelly, and Rachel Bellavia, for steering me in the right direction during my querying days, and Jessica Khoury, Ron Smith, Margaret Rogerson, Beth Revis, Evelyn Skye, Sabaa Tahir, Robin LaFevers, and Roshani Chokshi, for the love and support.
To Kerri Maniscalco, for teaching me how to appreciate every moment in the crazy world of publishing. To Katie Bucklein, soul twin and fierce fighter. Thank you for always having my back. To Joanna Hathaway, dearest friend and loving soul who keeps me going. Britta Gigliotti, principessa and the other half of this old couple. To Marieke Nijkamp, generous heart and mentor, thank you for being one of my earliest readers. To Joan He, partner in crime, agent sister, and debut friend. I heart you, goat friend. To Jessica Brooks, who kept a list and believed in me. To Beth Phelan and the #DVpit squad, you guys rock. To Brittany Holloway, my favorite mega fan. To the amazing fans with dedicated accounts supporting the world of Arawiya. To Lisa Austin, Kalyn Josephson, Jenna DeTrapani, Ksenia Winnicki, Heather Kassner, Mary Hinson, Sara Gundell, Korrina Ede, Noverantale, Ashelynn Hetland, Amanda Foody, and Michael Waters: Thank you, thank you, thank you.
To Amy Georgopoulos and Jenny Ethington, the librarians who were my pathway to the world of publishing. Thank you for helping teen-me out of her shell and for introducing her to the magic of book blogging.
To Catherine Gnoffo, mentor and friend, gone too soon. To my grandfather, whom I miss every day, who pressed crisp dollar bills into my palms so I could buy that new Harry Potter book at the fair. I wish you were both here to hold this book in your hands.
And last but not least: My deepest gratitude goes to you, dear reader. For picking up this book, devouring my words, and supporting a dream. None of this would have been possible without you. Thank you for being a part of Zafira’s journey, Nasir’s quest, and my adventure. Shukrun.
ADVANCE PRAISE FOR
We Hunt the Flame
“Beautiful storytelling, mesmerizing settings, and fiery characters— We Hunt the Flame is danger, magic, and hope all wrapped into one, and it is intoxicating.”
—EVELYN SKYE,
New York Times–bestselling author of the Crown’s Game series
“Hafsah Faizal’s voice is not one that simply speaks but sings across the page. We Hunt the Flame is a spellbinding tale filled with deception, political intrigue, and atmosphere that lives and breathes. I am obsessed with this story.”
—KERRI MANISCALCO,
#1 New York Times–bestselling author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series
“Fresh, bold storytelling populated with vibrant characters marks Hafsah Faizal as an explosive new voice in fantasy. Charged with adrenaline and romance, We Hunt the Flame held me enthralled and desperate for more!”
—JESSICA KHOURY,
author of the Corpus trilogy and The Forbidden Wish
“I adore Hafsah’s writing; she has such a beautiful way with words.”
—BETH REVIS,
New York Times–bestselling author of A World Without You
“With bold prose, Faizal stitches together darkly intriguing magic, a rich cast of characters (including, of course, our favorite kind of self-loathing prince), and a refreshingly nonexoticized Arabian-inspired setting.”
—ALLISON SENECAL,
bookseller at Old Firehouse Books
“In this thrilling new addition to the fantasy genre, Arabian mythology mixes with action, humor, romance, and identity as a diverse cast of characters quests to save not only their home but also themselves. From freezing snow to burning sand, Faizal draws readers in with sumptuous writing. Magic and mystery keep the pages turning until the very end.”
—MADELINE DORMAN,
bookseller at Blue Willow Bookshop
“Classic fantasy elements get a fresh take in this expertly crafted, Arabian-inspired world that is dark, romantic, and entirely enchanting. With complex characters that tug on your heartstrings and a story that is lush in both its beauty and prose, Hafsah Faizal’s We Hunt the Flame is not to be missed!”
—KATIE STUTZ,
bookseller at Anderson’s Bookshop
“We Hunt the Flame is a lush and vibrant epic fantasy immersed in ancient Arabian culture that will leave you wanting more. Perfect for fans of Roshani Chokshi and Renée Ahdieh.”
—MELISSA LEE,
bookseller at Blue Bunny Books
“In her incredible debut, Hafsah Faizal has crafted a whirlwind Arabian-inspired fantasy, filled with heart-stopping twists; powerful friendships; a steamy, well-developed romance; and lyrical prose that left me breathless. Fans of The City of Brass or Children of Blood and Bone will devour this tale that left me with my jaw on the floor, distressed that the story was over.”
—SHAUNA SINYARD,