Bai: Lady; used to address an older woman, as a mark of respect
bajra roti: A flatbread made with pearl millet
behen: Sister; can also be used as a respectful way to address a stranger
ber: A sweet and tart tropical fruit, also known as the red date or Chinese jujube in our world
bhai: Brother; can also be used as a respectful way to address a stranger
chaas: A cold drink made of yogurt
chakra: A disc-shaped weapon with sharp edges
chameli: Jasmine
champak: An evergreen tree with fragrant orange flowers
*Chandni Raat: The night of the moon festival; native to Svapnalok
*chandrama: A sweet, circular pastry, garnished with edible foil and rose petals
choli: A short blouse; worn with a sari or ghagra
*Dev Kal: The era of the gods
dhoti: A garment wrapped around the lower half of the body, passed between the legs, and tucked into the waistband
*dhulvriksh: A desert tree with rootlike branches; native to the kingdom of Ambar and the Brimlands
didi: Elder sister
*drishti jal: A magical elixir used by Pashu to travel and communicate with each other; native to the kingdom of Aman
dupatta: A shawl-like scarf
ektara: A drone lute with a single string
fanas: Lantern
ghagra: A full-length skirt; worn by women with a choli and dupatta
ghat: A set of steps along a riverbank
ghee: Clarified butter
gulab: Rose
haveli: A mansion
howdah: A seat carried on the back of an elephant, sometimes with a canopy
*indradhanush: A rainbow-hued metal; native to the Brimlands
jambiya: A short, double-edged dagger
janata: Public
janata darbar: A public court held in the main square of the capital city by the old monarchs of Ambar
*jantar-mantar: An illusion; derogatory term for false magic tricks in Svapnalok
jatamansi: An herb used to darken hair
ji: An honorific, usually placed after a person’s name; can also be used as respectful acknowledgment, in the place of “yes”
jootis: Flat shoes with pointed tips
kabzedar: Usurper
kaccha sari: A sari draped in a manner similar to a dhoti, for ease of movement; worn with a choli
kachori: A round, fried pastry stuffed with a sweet or savory filling
kadhi: A cream-colored gravy, made of yogurt, chickpea flour, spices, and vegetables
kaka: Paternal uncle
kaki: Paternal aunt
kali: A flower bud (pronounced “kuh-lee”); not to be confused with the Hindu goddess Kali (pronounced “kaa-lee”)
kalkothri: An underground prison
karela: A bitter gourd
khichdi: A rice-and-lentil dish
khoba roti: A thick flatbread made with indents on the surface
lathi: A long wooden staff, used as a weapon
levta: A black mudfish
maang-teeka: A hair ornament; worn by women
madira: Alcohol
*makara: A Pashu who is part crocodile, part human
Masi: Mother’s sister
mawa: A sweet paste made by simmering milk on the stove
methi bajra puri: A fried flatbread made with spinach and pearl millet
moong dal: Split green gram
*neela chand: Refers to one’s mate or soulmate in Svapnalok; literally translates to “blue moon”
pakoda: A vegetable fritter
pallu: The loose ends of a sari
paneer: A type of curd cheese
*Paras: The language of the kingdom of Jwala
*Pashu: A race of part-human, part-animal beings; native to the kingdom of Aman
peepul: A sacred fig tree
*peri: A gold-skinned Pashu who is part human, part bird
prasad: Food used as a religious offering, normally consumed after worship
pulao: A rice dish made with spices and vegetables and/or meat
*putra: Son; when used as a suffix, it means “son of”
*putri: Daughter; when used as a suffix, it means “daughter of”
raag: A melodic framework used for improvisation and composition of Indian classical music
rabdi: A sweet, creamy dish made with condensed milk and nuts
raj darbar: The royal court
rajkumar: Prince
rajkumari: Princess
rajnigandha: Tuberose
*rajsingha: A Pashu who is part lion, part human
*rekha: A magical barrier
*roopbadal: Ambari plant that shifts flavors depending on how it’s cooked
*rupee: A silver coin
Saavdhaan: Attention
sabzi: Cooked vegetables
sadhvi: A holy woman
samarpan: The act of dedication, submission, and sacrifice to a person or cause
sandhi: A symbiosis
sangemarmar: A white marble; native to the kingdom of Jwala
sant: Saint
*Sau aabhaar: A hundred thank-yous
Sena pranam: Command for an army salutation to a ruler
sev: Vermicelli
*Shubhdivas: Good day
*Shubhraat: Good night
*Shubhsaver: Good morning
*shvetpanchhi: A large, carnivorous bird with white and black feathers; native to Svapnalok
*simurgh: A Pashu who is part eagle and part peacock with a woman’s face
sohan halwa: A sweet made of ghee, milk, flour, and sugar
*sphurtijal: Elixir mixed in bathwater for temporary boost of energy
*sthirta: A state of stillness or calm in meditation
suji halwa: A sweet semolina pudding
surma: A black cosmetic, used to line the eyes
suryagrahan: Solar eclipse
*swarna: A gold coin
talwar: A long sword with a curved blade
*tez: A fruit grown in the north of Ambar that can be ingested to enhance magical powers, but with hallucinatory side effects
thanedar: A police officer
thhor: A multistemmed, cactus-like succulent found in the desert
tulsi: Holy basil
*vaid: A magical healer
*Vani: The language of the kingdom of Ambar
*Yudhnatam: A martial art
yuvraj: Heir apparent
zamindar: An aristocratic landowner
Author’s Note
Colonization and foreign rule are closely linked to Indian history. Even today, we see remnants of ideas or laws introduced to the subcontinent by its former British rulers. One of these laws included Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalized homosexuality. In 2018, this law was finally declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of India.
Writing this series has not only been an excuse for imagination, but also an exercise in decolonization—in reconstructing what India might have looked like without the British at its helm.
Late medieval India offered an intriguing playfield. Back then, there were other foreign rulers—the Mughals, from Central Asia. Yet there have been periods in Mughal history when art and culture flourished, when men expressed love for men through poetry, when India’s various faiths coexisted in harmony, without religious conflict. There were also women. Strong, bold, flawed, and fascinating, they captivated me the most during my research—from Mughal empresses and Rajput and Maratha queens to the Attingal Ranis of Kerala.
Homophobia and patriarchy aren’t colonial constructs: They existed in the subcontinent long before the British arrived. Yet there were freedoms in the past—the freedom to speak freely and be one’s true self—even for the marginalized.
The beauty of storytelling—and of fantasy—is that we’re allowed room to imagine and to question present ideologies, to reconstruct worlds the way they may have been.
I hope my b
ooks will encourage more people to step out from behind the margins and bring forth their own narratives.
Acknowledgments
Sau aabhaar to:
The Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council—for funding this project.
Dad and Mom—I would take on tyrants for you.
My editors at FSG and Penguin Teen Canada, Janine O’Malley, Melissa Warten, and Peter Phillips—for loving this series and constantly challenging me to make it better.
My agent, Eleanor Jackson—for always giving me the best advice.
Beth Clark—for blowing me away with your cover designs each time.
Allyson Floridia, Tracy Koontz, Lindsay Wagner, Jessica Warren, Elizabeth Lee, Allegra Green, Katie Halata, Kelsey Marrujo, Gaby Salpeter, and everyone else at Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for your tireless work and support behind the scenes.
Kristen Ciccarelli and Erika David—for your words of wisdom and praise.
Lynne Missen, Sam Devotta, and Team Penguin Canada; Tarini Uppal and Team Penguin India—for championing this book in two countries I’ve always considered home.
My readers—for sticking with me through this series.
Dadar Ahura Mazda and Ardibehesht Ameshaspand—for granting me strength and courage when I most needed it.
Praise for
HUNTED BY THE SKY
“A breath of fresh air in the fantasy adventure genre … Readers will be mesmerized by Bhathena’s vivid storytelling and the deeply felt connection between the two main characters. This fantasy adventure featuring protagonists of color will be enjoyed by fans of the Legacy of Orisha and Ember in the Ashes series.”
—SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL,
starred review
“A novel of palace intrigue, supplication and resistance, romance, and betrayal. Bhathena takes her time unfolding the story, allowing the reader full immersion not only in the richly drawn characters but the world itself— a world inspired by medieval India. The result is an intoxicating novel that is at once leisurely and keenly enthralling.”
—QUILL & QUIRE,
starred review
“[A] stunning novel … Hunted by the Sky is lush and vividly imagined, suspenseful, romantic, and adventurous.”
—TEEN VOGUE
“An amazing debut with badass females, Indian and Persian mythology, beautiful writing, and so much diversity.”
—THE NERD DAILY
“A stunning fantasy world.”
—TOR.COM
“A fast-paced romantic fantasy set in a thoughtfully built, diverse world.”
—KIRKUS REVIEWS
“Bhathena explores class struggles and the marginalization of social groups in a fully immersive setting inspired by medieval India … The plot quickly unfolds as we alternate between the distinct voices of Gul and Cavas, whose engaging dynamic promises further development in a sure-to-be gripping sequel.”
—BOOKLIST
“This Indian- and Persian-inspired duology opener from Bhathena explores questions of faith via a fully fleshed, predominantly brown-skinned cast and a thoughtfully conceived mythology. Gul and Cavas’s burgeoning attraction adds hints of romance, and … escalating action catapults the tale to a thrilling close.”
—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
“As deeply enthralling as a dream, the world of Ambar lures you in with its rich mythology and fiercely tender romance. A story exquisitely told, with magic on every page.”
—AUSMA ZEHANAT KHAN,
author of The Bloodprint
“A thrilling start to an exciting new series set in a fresh, magical new world … I couldn’t put it down!”
—S. A. CHAKRABORTY,
author of The City of Brass and The Kingdom of Copper
“Hunted by the Sky plunges readers into an original and imaginative world that is both beautifully brutal and brutally beautiful. Tanaz Bhathena’s writing crackles with visceral detail and pointed metaphor, creating an immersive reading experience. Readers are certain to fall for Gul and Cavas as they find their own value in a world that tries hard to devalue them. A fresh and intelligent fantasy.”
—MEGAN BANNEN,
author of The Bird and the Blade
“With Hunted by the Sky, Tanaz Bhathena pens a story that is as fierce as it is tender. Her girls are beautifully complicated. Her world is lush, intricate, and unique. This book not only left me breathless, it made my heart soar.”
—KRISTEN CICCARELLI,
internationally bestselling author of The Last Namsara
“A mythical tale of love, sisterhood, vengeance, and hope, Hunted by the Sky is an epic adventure you don’t want to miss.”
—TASHA SURI,
author of Empire of Sand
“Filled with magic, prophecy, and ancient goddesses, Hunted by the Sky is an engrossing novel that will keep the reader up long past bedtime. Tanaz Bhathena’s fantasy is perfect for fans of thoughtful world-building and fantastical mirrors to our own reality. A whirlwind of heartfelt storytelling.”
—JODI MEADOWS,
New York Times–bestselling coauthor of My Plain Jane and author of the Fallen Isles Trilogy
“Captivating … Steeped in medieval Indian magic, Hunted by the Sky is a breathtaking adventure of a book that draws you in from page one.”
—SUKANYA VENKATRAGHAVAN,
editor of Magical Women and author of Dark Things
“Hunted by the Sky offers YA fantasy readers something deliciously fresh while giving us everything we love: a richly imagined landscape, fascinating magic, and a tenacious young heroine pitted against impossible odds.”
—ELLY BLAKE,
New York Times–bestselling author of the Frostblood Saga
“A dazzling, rich story with a complex heroine, intricate magic, and bone-sharp prose, Hunted by the Sky is the fantasy novel I’ve been waiting for all year.”
—SWATI TEERDHALA,
author of the Tiger at Midnight series
About the Author
Tanaz Bhathena writes books for young adults. Her latest novel, Hunted by the Sky, was named a Best Book of the Year by the CBC and USBBY, and is the first of a YA fantasy duology set in a world inspired by medieval India, with the sequel Rising like a Storm releasing on June 22, 2021. Her novel The Beauty of the Moment won the Nautilus Gold Award for Young Adult Fiction and has also been nominated for the Ontario Library Association's White Pine Award. Her acclaimed debut, A Girl Like That, was named a Best Book of the Year by numerous outlets including The Globe and Mail, Seventeen, and The Times of India. She lives in Missisauga, Ontario, with her family. You can sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
The Legion of the Dead
1. Gul
2. Gul
3. Gul
4. Cavas
5. Cavas
6. Gul
7. Gul
8. Gul
9. Cavas
10. Cavas
11. Gul
12. Gul
13. Gul
14. Gul
The Throne or the Grave
15. Shayla
16. Cavas
17. Gul
18. Gul
19. Gul
Two Halves of a Whole
20. Cavas
21. Cavas
22. Gul
23. Gul
24. Shayla
25. Cavas
26. Cavas
27. Gul
28. Cavas
29. Gul
Snakes and Spe
cters
30. Shayla
31. Gul
32. Gul
33. Cavas
34. Cavas
35. Gul
The Wrath of a Queen
36. Shayla
37. Gul
38. Gul
39. Gul
40. Gul
41. Cavas
42. Cavas
43. Gul
44. Shayla
45. Cavas
Drums in the Dark
46. Gul
47. Cavas
48. Gul
49. Shayla
50. Gul
51. Gul
52. Cavas
53. Cavas
A Girl and a Dog
54. Gul
Glossary
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
Praise for Hunted by the Sky
About the Author
Copyright
Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers
An imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC
120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271
Text copyright © 2021 by Tanaz Bhathena
All rights reserved
First hardcover edition, 2021
eBook edition, June 2021
fiercereads.com
The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:
Names: Bhathena, Tanaz, author.
Title: Rising like a storm / Tanaz Bhathena.
Description: First edition. | New York: Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, 2021. | Series: [The wrath of Ambar; book 2] | Audience: Ages 12–18. | Audience: Grades 10–12. | Summary: “Gul and Cavas must unite their magical forces—and hold on to their growing romance—to save their kingdom from tyranny” —Provided by publisher.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020024589 | ISBN 9780374313111 (hardcover)
Subjects: CYAC: Fantasy. | Magic—Fiction. | Love—Fiction.
Classification: LCC PZ7.1.B5324 Ris 2021 | DDC [Fic]—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020024589
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eISBN 9780374313128