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K. M. Szpara follows his explosive debut novel Docile with First, Become Ashes, a fantastic standalone adventure that explores self-discovery after trauma and outgrowing abusive origins over the course of an American road trip.
The Fellowship raised Lark to kill monsters.
His partner betrayed them to the Feds.
But Lark knows his magic is real, and he’ll do anything to complete his quest.
For thirty years, the Fellowship of the Anointed isolated its members, conditioning them to believe that pain is power. That magic is suffering. That the world beyond the fence has fallen prey to monsters. But when their leader is arrested, all her teachings come into question.
Those touched by the Fellowship face a choice: how will they adjust to the world they were taught to fear, and how will they relate to the cult's last crusader, Lark? For Kane, survival means rejecting the magic he and his lover suffered for. For Deryn, the cult's collapse is an opportunity to prove they are worth as much as their Anointed brother. For Calvin, lark is the alluring embodiment of the magic he's been seeking his entire life.
But for Lark, the Fellowship isn’t over. Before he can begin to discover himself and heal a lifetime of traumas, he has a monster to slay.
First, Become Ashes contains explicit sadomasochism and sexual content, as well as abuse and consent violations, including rape.
Author: K.M. Szpara
Paperback Published 9 August 2022 304 pages
“Szpara is the rare author able to tackle trauma and healing without flinching.” ―N. K. Jemisin
“I've been looking for the next Samuel R. Delany and the next Jacqueline Carey, and K.M. Spzara is both.” ―Cecilia Tan
“Szpara mixes trauma and magic to mesmerizing results.” ―Publishers Weekly
“A timely tale about the dangers of committing too fervently and unquestioningly to a person and their cause.” ―Kirkus Reviews