Dawn of the Firebird, a sweeping desert fantasy debut for adults, ignites a world of political intrigue, jinn magic, and sand-swept warfare as a hidden princess infiltrates her enemy’s empire to reclaim a stolen throne.

Rana — an Oxford scholar and traditional martial artist — blends rigorous worldbuilding with razor-edged action in a tale that pits vengeance against destiny and truth against loyalty. The novel delivers:

• A fierce princess-in-disguise narrative
• Rich, historically inspired worldbuilding
• Monk-style martial training, deadly trials, and a rising tide of twisted magic
• A gripping exploration of the price of becoming the weapon others want you to be

ABOUT THE BOOK

Perfect for fans of The Poppy War, She Who Became the Sun, and The City of Brass, Dawn of the Firebird follows Khamilla Zahr-zad, the daughter of an overthrown emperor whose life has been forged in violence, exile, and relentless training. When her clan is assassinated by a rival empire, Khamilla takes her heavenly magic of nur and buries her identity behind enemy lines — joining the army academy of Za’skar, a city of scholars, jinn, and hidden power.

What begins as a mission of revenge becomes a crucible of transformation. Under ruthless mystic monks, Khamilla must compete in brutal contests and navigate a military culture built on secret doctrines and magical manipulation. The more she rises, the more she discovers histories that contradict everything she was taught. With war looming and a corrupted magic spreading across the kingdoms, she must choose between annihilation and deliverance — even if it means facing the darkness within herself.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah Mughal Rana is an MPhil candidate at the University of Oxford, researching the intersection of economic policy and human rights. A podcaster, martial artist, and worldbuilder, she co-hosts the On The Write Track podcast, where she interviews bestselling authors.

Her work has appeared in romance and fantasy anthologies including My Big Fat Desi Wedding, Monsters & Masquerades (OwlCrate), and Home Has No Borders. Her YA debut Hope Ablaze earned a Junior Library Guild Gold Star distinction and was selected as Librarian Mychal Threet’s debut book club pick. Rana has been spotlighted by CBC Books, Book Riot, and Indigo’s “Best Books of the Year.”

Dawn of the Firebird marks her adult fantasy debut — an explosive introduction to a voice destined to shape the future of South Asian speculative fiction.