Fantasy Book Critic: COVER REVEAL: The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma

Today we are beyond humbled & excited to present the spectacular cover for Aparna Verma's traditionally published epic fantasy debut via Orbit Books. My thanks to both Aparna & Ellen Wright for giving FBC the opportunity to participate in this cover reveal.

Firstly some background about this book, it was previously self-published under the title The Boy With Fire and was acquired by Orbit Books earlier this year.

The cover has been revealed officially over at the Orbit Books Blog & thanks to the author, we can share a fascinating insight about the cover, the book & significance of Hindu mythos within:

"One of the central symbols of The Phoenix King is the Phoenix (what a shocker), but the mythos behind the Phoenix comes from an unlikely source: Maa Kali. Maa Kali is a dark-skinned goddess from Hindu mythology. With wide white eyes, a red rolling tongue, and a necklace of skulls, she seems more like a demon than a goddess. She's even been described as the bringer of death and destruction. So how can she be related to the Phoenix? The Phoenix is a bird of fire who dies by its own inferno and is reborn from its own ashes. It is said to rise when it is most needed and to return to ash when its task is completed."

"Maa Kali's purpose is also similar: she rises from darkness (hence the name Kali, meaning black or dark) when the world is in dire need. Once, when the ancient world was threatened by a fierce demon named Mahishasura, Kali rose and fought the demon, cutting off his head and drinking his blood so that he would not regenerate. She, like the Phoenix, destroys in order to create. When the great evil is vanquished, Maa Kali returns to the dark as the Phoenix returns to ash. Both are guardians; both are creatures of death, whether by inferno or the sword, but also of rebirth. For after Maa Kali killed Mahishasura, the world flourished."

"When it came to writing the mythos of the Phoenix in The Phoenix King, I drew from the duality of Maa Kali as her role of creator and destroyer."

"For some characters, The Phoenix of Ravence is a cruel, vindicative god. Her fire seeks only to destroy. These characters fail to understand (to their own detriment) that though fire can ravage a forest, it also clears a path for new life to bloom. On the other hand, some characters view the Phoenix of Ravence as a protector, a bringer of justice who will rebalance the world into equilibrium. And yet, even guardians can be so consumed by power that they risk destroying the ones they love, as Maa Kali with her consort Shiva."

"I hope that when reading The Phoenix King, readers understand that gods are not easily manipulated. Some refuse our typical labels of "bad" and "good," like Maa Kali. Instead, they transcend. There are so many other Easter eggs and comparisons between the Phoenix of Ravence and Maa Kali that I can get into, but I'll leave the rest for the reader to find!"

So here's the amazing cover that has been designed by Lisa Marie Pompilio:

PRE-ORDER THE PHOENIX KING OVER HERE

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: The first in a sensational, action-packed debut epic fantasy trilogy in which an assassin and a princess navigate a world teetering on the edge of war and contend with an ancient prophecy that could remake the world.

Yassen Knight was the Arohassin’s most notorious assassin until a horrible accident. Now, he’s hunted by the authorities and his former employer, both of whom want him dead. But when he seeks refuge with an old friend, he’s offered an irresistible deal: defend the heir of Ravence from the Arohassin, and earn his freedom once and for all.

Elena Ravence is preparing to ascend the throne. Trained since birth in statecraft, warfare, and the desert ways, Elena knows she is ready. She only lacks one thing: the ability to hold Fire, the magic that is meant to run in her family's blood. And with her coronation only weeks away, she must learn quickly or lose her kingdom.

Leo Ravence is not ready to give up the crown. There’s still too much work to be done, too many battles to be won. But when an ancient prophecy threatens to undo his lifetime of work, Leo wages war on the heavens themselves to protect his legacy.