Aicha

About the book

TEMPTRESS. MONSTER. WARRIOR.

The ultimate female rage fantasy, Aicha is a fierce and devastatingly powerful romantic epic fantasy perfect for fans of The Priory of the Orange Tree and She Who Became the Sun.

The Portuguese flag has been planted across Morocco, its empire ruling with an iron fist. But eventually, all empires must fall.

Aicha, the daughter of a Moroccan freedom-fighter, was born for battle. She has witnessed the death of her people, their starvation and torture at the hands of the occupiers, and it has awakened an anger within her. An anger that burns hot and bright, and speaks to Aicha's soul.

Only Aicha's secret lover Rachid, a rebellion leader, knows how to soothe her. But as the fight for Morocco's freedom reaches it violent climax, the creature that simmers beneath Aicha's skin begs to be unleashed. It hungers for the screams of those who have caused her pain, and it will not be ignored.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Traumatic childbirth, death during childbirth, racism, islamophobia, murder, implied sexual assault by settlers, implied torture by settlers. Violent torture referenced. One graphic sex scene.

Praise for Aicha:

'Aicha is a sharpened blade, swinging between the celebration of love in all its forms and unbridled anger. A ferocious debut.' Eliza Chan, author of Fathomfolk

'Aicha lit a whole bonfire in my belly, stole the air right out of my lungs and then left my heart in tiny little pieces. An incredible debut' Ellis Hunter, author of Blood Bound

'A heady, heart-wrenching, magnetic debut, bursting with both love and fury' Holly Race, author of Six Wild Crowns

'A debut of epic scope, Aicha instantly establishes this author as one to watch. Furious, heart-wrenching, and utterly enchanting, Aicha tells the story of a heroine unlike any other' Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, author of The Principle of Moments

'A heart-pounding and immersive read that has it all: intriguing magic, devastating romance, detailed world-building and fascinating mythology. Bouazzaoui crafts her powerful debut with gut-wrenching intricacy. A must read' Aamna Qureshi, author of The Baby Dragon Café