A Desert of Bleeding Sand: A Rivals to lovers Romantasy by Lucia Damisa

"A Desert of Bleeding Sand is an exhilarating journey filled with action, adventure and political intrigue, set against a most unique West African-inspired backdrop. A thrilling, magical ride from start to finish!” — Amber Chen, UK Bestselling author of Of Jade And Dragons. “A breathless rivals-to-lovers Romantasy that will captivate you from the very first page.”— USA Today Bestselling Author Stacy Reid. In a glittering Sahara Desert palace, many have come to die… I am Zair, reviled, half-blooded, and dangerous. Aziza magic coils in my veins like a curse, and for that, they fear me. But I will not stand by while traitors attack my academy and vanish with its students, especially as my sister is targeted. They sent me to the palace as a student envoy to the king’s coronation, but I know the truth. I’m a weapon, a spy cloaked in silk and suspicion, sent to unmask those behind the disappearances. The air is thick with secrets, and the palace feels alive, pulsing with night magic and silent menace. Then I meet him. Dathan. A rival spy from another academy—sharp-eyed, clever, cunning, and deadly. I don’t trust him, and I shouldn’t want him. But the pull between us is maddening, dangerous, a flame I cannot smother. As more students vanish and shadows stir in every corridor, we have no choice but to join forces. Yet every moment spent together fractures my resolve. In a palace where ambition poisons the air and betrayal hides behind every smile, I must unravel the truth before time runs out—while guarding my heart against the one man who could ruin more than the mission… he could destroy me. Read more