#NetGalley #UnionSquare #ThisMonsterOfMine #ThisBladeOfOurs
5/5

Dark, textured backgroung with a bulleted list in a white serif font, with the UK cover of This Blade of Ours cover in the top left corner. The bullets in the list are substituted with dagger emojis. The text reads: This Blade of Ours has it all: - Various shades of antagonists, from shameless and unrepentant in their villainy, to ones you can't help but pity. - Cunning protagonists who, nevertheless, get things wrong because they're still flawed humans. - Anek, the best, sassiest, most relatable neutralis this side of the Kaycakh Mountains, continuing to shine as my favourite side character. - A woman craving power to ensure security for herself and the people who are being failed by the existing system, and the man who would give her all his power or burn it all for her if she asked but supports her handling things the way she sees fit. - Kadra's slutty, slutty robes “accidentally” falling off his shoulder in a bid to influence Sarai's decisions.

White text in front of a dark, textured background: This Blade of Ours is a wonderful sequel to This Monster of Mine, one of my all-time favourite books. Both are written in a way that inspires you to create something yourself, which I believe is the best way for a piece of art to affect its audience. In the sequel, Sarai and Kadra find themselves facing the consequences of their triumph over the antagonist of the previous book, trying to work within a system they broke, and solving a new case — one that hints at a threat to all of Ur Dinyé. Dealing with greedy Guilds, religious zealots, and the dubious joys of being in the centre of public ttention while trying to keep a crumbling empire and its people safe from destruction is no small feat. This sequel is everything I could've wished for, balancing between compelling political intrigue, a revenge plot years in the making, and the challenges of Sarai and Kadra's relationship. It made me wish I could cancel all my plans and binge-read it in one sitting.

White text in front of a dark, textured background: It highlights how it's not enough to gain power, you have to find a way to keep it, which may be difficult without compromising your ideals. Between Sarai, Kadra, Cassandane and Harion we are presented with vastly different ideas on how to be a good, effective politician and it's fascinating to see them implemented to varying degree of success. On a personal level for Sarai and Kadra, the story delves into what it means to find comfort and love with someone deeply scarred, both physically and psychologically. Neither of them are magically free from trauma and pain just because they fell in love with each other. They both have their pasts and the ghosts that still haunt them. This is particularly emphasised in Kadra's POV chapters which allow us a glimpse into what has made him the force of nature we know. If you love This Monster of Mine you’re going to love This Blade of Ours just as much.

My spoiler-free review of @awayintheshire.bsky.social 's #ThisBladeofOurs ARC 👇

TL:DR: I'm obsessed with it.

The book will be out this summer, preorder links here:
www.shaliniwrites.com/tboo#order

Dark-red background with white lightning. The text at the top of the graphic reads: STREET TEAM MEMBER" in a white serif font. The UK cover of This Blade of Ours is placed under the text. The cover features a gold-hilted dagger covered with blood-red bugs, in front of the same dark-red and lightning background. The cover includes the tagline "A reckoning is coming" at the top, the title "This Blade of Ours" in ornate gold lettering, and "Shalini Abeysekara" on the bottom. The text under the cover says "OUT JULY 2026" in the same white serif font as all earlier text except for the book title.

White text on the same dark-red and lightning background as the previous picture: THIS BLADE OF OURS Their love was their salvation. It could be their ruin. Sarai believed the worst was behind her. However, months after exposing the government’s corruption in what has now been deemed “the Great Unravelling,” she faces scorn from citizens who preferred her and Kadra as the underdogs than victors. Worse, eerie omens rock the country: from a deadly plague outbreak to a sweeping madness that leave the afflicted ranting of an approaching reckoning. Accused of angering the gods, Sarai returns to the only place that can clear her name: Ur Dinyé’s frozen north. But among the secrets buried in its ice are Kadra’s. Cursed with frightening, new abilities, Kadra struggles to protect Sarai against a land at odds with itself. When historical tensions worsen between the north and the south, a powerful religious order seizes control in the chaos, led by a man whose very voice can kill—Noceo bu Kader. Trapped between love and a crumbling country, Sarai and Kadra must outwit a power with roots as deep in fear as in cruelty. But the gods are always watching, and Sarai and Kadra may not escape a second time. The heart-pounding conclusion to This Monster of Mine, This Blade of Ours is a sweeping blend of cosmic horror, mystery, and achingly tender romance.

It's super late but I'm so happy to be a part of Shalini's street team for #ThisBladeofOurs 🔪
It's the sequel to one of my all-time favourite stories, #ThisMonsterofMine🖤️
If you haven't read that, do yourself a favour and run to read it rn🏃
If you have, get ready to lose your mind over TBOO🫠

Screen shot from a @shalini.writes (Shalini Abeysekara) instagram story showing a still from an edit by user leepaceismyworld of Lee Pace as Brother Day in the tv series Foundation. He is wearing a loose dark blue kimono and looking to his left. The caption says "I ran out of Ben Barnes material when writing book 2 and Lee Pace came in CLUTCH"

Shalini Abeysekara's insta story coming for my throat again. Lee Pace joining the club of sexy fantasy series men who serve as inspiration for Kadra??? These books really are specifically for me 🫠
#ThisMonsterOfMine #ThisBladeOfOurs #ShaliniAbeysekara