Book 1

To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods

by Molly X. Chang

Published 16 April 2024
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • In this magical epic fantasy, the gripping first novel of the Gods Beyond the Skies series, a young woman gifted with the power of Death must decide if saving her family is worth betraying her country.

The gorgeous first edition hardcover of To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods features a poster, color endpapers, a custom-stamped case, and a foil jacket!

“With hauntingly poetic prose, Molly X. Chang spins a tale at the intersection of science fiction, fantasy, and the very real devastation that colonialism brings down on colonized peoples.”—Xiran Jay Zhao, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Iron Widow

Heroes die, cowards live. Daughter of a conquered world, Ruying hates the invaders who descended from the heavens long before she was born and defeated the magic of her people with technologies unlike anything her world had ever seen.

Blessed by Death, born with the ability to pull the life right out of mortal bodies, Ruying shouldn’t have to fear these foreign invaders, but she does. Especially because she wants to keep herself and her family safe.

When Ruying’s Gift is discovered by an enemy prince, he offers her an impossible deal: If she becomes his private assassin and eliminates his political rivals—whose deaths he swears would be for the good of both their worlds and would protect her people from further brutalization—her family will never starve or suffer harm again. But to accept this bargain, she must use the powers she has always feared, powers that will shave years off her own existence.

Can Ruying trust this prince, whose promises of a better world make her heart ache and whose smiles make her pulse beat faster? Are the evils of this agreement really in the service of a much greater good? Or will she betray her entire nation by protecting those she loves the most?

Book 2

To Kill These Monstrous Gods

by Molly X. Chang

Published 9 September 2025

From the bestselling author of To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods comes the highly anticipated second book in the captivating anti-colonial fantasy series, Gods Beyond the Skies. Yang Ruying must harness her power of Death as she secretly reunites with her childhood crush and navigates treacherous wartime alliances, all in a daring bid to save her realm.

The perfect read for fans of Red Queen, These Violent Delights and Iron Widow.

Antony, the second Prince of Rome, and his brothers Valentin and Cassius, are hellbent on securing a deal that will see the people of the Pangu empires forever be controlled by the Romans. Yang Ruying, The Girl Blessed by Death, has other plans, even if it means betraying the man she once thought she could trust.

Joining forces with her closest confidant and childhood crush, Baihu, they hatch a plan to rid Pangu of the Romans, growing closer by the day. But when disaster strikes, Ruying has no other choice but to turn to the Emperor of Er-Lang and the mysterious, handsome warrior by his side.

All signs point to The Girl Blessed by Death as the key to securing freedom, but with Antony seemingly always one step ahead, will Pangu ever be unshackled?

Praise for To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods:

‘A thrilling tale of magic and murder, intrigue and betrayal.’ Cassandra Clare

‘Hauntingly poetic prose’ Xiran Jay Zhao

‘A tender and brutal fantasy that will leave readers breathless and eager for more’ Rebecca Ross

A thrilling gut-punch, both lavishly magical and devastatingly human.’ Laini Taylor