In a feminist fantasy epic, a revolutionary spell gives women the ability to control their own fertility—with consequences that rock their patriarchal society to its core.
When a nobleman’s first duty is to produce a male heir, women have always been treated like possessions and bargaining chips. But now, as the aftereffects of this world-altering spell ripple out both physically and culturally, women at last have a bargaining chip of their own. And two women in particular find themselves at the crossroads of change.
Alys is the widowed mother of two teenage children, and the disinherited daughter of a king. Her existence has been a carefully proscribed thing, but now she discovers a fierce talent not only for politics, but also for magic—once deemed solely the domain of men. Meanwhile, in a neighboring kingdom, young Ellin finds herself unexpectedly on the throne after the sudden death of not only her grandfather the king, but everyone else who stood before her in the line of succession. Conventional wisdom holds that she will marry quickly, then quietly surrender the throne to her new husband…only Ellin has other ideas.
The tensions tearing at both kingdoms become abruptly worse when a caravan of exiled women and their escort of disgraced soldiers stumble upon a new source of magic in what was once uninhabitable desert. This new and revolutionary magic–which only women can wield–threatens to tear down what is left of the patriarchy. And the men who currently hold power would do anything to destroy it.
Both a spellbinding fantasy and a magnificent cri-de-coeur, The Women’s War is about to set a new gold standard for feminist fiction.
Click here to read the first three chapters of THE WOMEN’S WAR!
“The Women’s War does what so many classic adult fantasy books do not: It gives us a nuanced portrayal of grown women dealing with a wretchedly unfair society. It is rare to read a fantasy novel with a middle-aged mother as a main character. And it is refreshing to see women becoming heroes in a world that wishes to keep them muzzled.” — Sabaa Tahir, The New York Times Book Review
“A must-read, with gripping action, a complex plot, and engaging characters . . . I thoroughly loved it!”—New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr
“A compulsive read, riveting characters, life-or-death stakes . . . a smashing book!”—New York Times bestselling author Tamora Pierce
“Gloriously paced, plotted, and constructed with such elegance that it ceases to feel like a story and begins to feel like the truth.”—New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuire
“A thrilling and heartwrenching tale that explores the issue of body autonomy with a middle-aged mom as the heroine . . . I couldn’t put it down.”—New York Times bestselling author Kevin Hearne
“The Women’s War is more than a story. It is a roar. And it’s magnificent! The wonderful fierceness of its women will steal your breath and your heart.”—Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of the Queens of Renthia series