Beasts of War

By the time Koffi emerged from Makena s tent, the encampment was nearly unrecognizable. The tents that d been staked all around were gone, giving her for the first time an unobstructed view of their surroundings. They were in open marshlands; green grass stretched for miles around, and a wispy, lingering fog hung low over it. She turned, then ducked, barely missing the giant rolled-up canvas that went over her head as two young darajas who d escaped Fedu s realm with her carried it past on their shoulders. They offered her smiles as they headed toward Ano, who was standing in the middle of the three wagons and pointing left and right as if directing traffic.
    Put that food in wagon two, it should have been sealed already! she snapped. Linens and bedrolls go in wagon three. Let s move, people! Though I may look it, I am certainly not getting any younger standing around!
    Koffi looked around the rest of the campsite, trying to find something to do before Ano spotted her. Her heart did an impressive arrangement of cartwheels as she noticed Ekon making his way across the campsite with a basket held against his torso.
  Talk to him, she told herself. You ve barely spoken since you woke up. And before that . . . Koffi gnawed at her bottom lip. She and Ekon hadn t discussed the fact that he d come all the way from Lkossa to find her. When she d seen him in the Temple of Lkossa s sky garden, he d been bloodied and broken, and she hadn t been able to give him any clues about where she d gone. He d still found her. That had to mean something, she just didn t know where that something left the two of them, and thinking about it made her palms sweaty.
  Just talk to him.
    The decision was made for her when, a second later, Ekon looked up, noticed her, and changed direction so that he was heading straight toward her. Koffi tried to keep her breath even as he approached. And then he was

Ayana Gray is the New York Times bestselling author of the critically-acclaimed Beasts of Prey trilogy. Her works have been translated in ten languages across five continents. Originally from Atlanta, she now lives among the rolling hills and tangling rivers of Arkansas.

"Readers will stay engaged through the vivid descriptions and action-packed battles in this African-inspired fantasy...A thrilling end to a lively saga."  Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Gray brings it all home in this stunning conclusion...Beasts of War never stalls, leaving readers with an epic fantasy that they ll want to devour in one sitting. Satisfying, unique, and empathetic, this culmination of an impressive series is sure to satisfy fans." Booklist Reviews