The Final Strife
3 primary works Complete
Book 1
'Epic in scope, its worldbuilding as intricate as filigree. The Final Strife sings of rebellion, love, and the courage it takes to stand up to tyranny, following three women whose journeys will keep you gripped to the last' —Samantha Shannon, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree
The Empire rules by blood
Red is the blood of the elite, of magic, of control.
Blue is the blood of the poor, of workers, of the resistance.
Clear is the blood of the servants, of the crushed, of the invisible.
The Aktibar – a set of trials held every ten years to find the next Ember rulers of the Empire – is about to begin.
All can join but not just anyone can win; it requires great skill and ingenuity to become the future wardens of Strength, Knowledge, Truth and Duty.
Sylah was destined to win the trials and be crowned Warden of Strength. Stolen by blue-blooded rebels she was raised with a Duster’s heart; forged as a weapon to bring down from within the red-blooded Embers’ regime of cruelty. But when her adopted family were brutally murdered those dreams of a better future turned to dust.
However, the flame of hope may yet be rekindled because Sylah wasn’t made to sparkle, she was born to burn.
And it’s up to her whether she rules the empire or destroys it.
Book 2
Murder. Secrets. Sacrifice.
Anoor is the first blue-blooded ruler of the Wardens’ Empire. When she is accused of a murder she didn’t commit, she must solve the mystery to save her reign.
Her beloved, Sylah, braves new lands to find a solution for the hurricane that threatens to destroy her home. But should she sacrifice her old life to raise her sword once more?
The spy, Hassa, finds herself on a trail of crimes in the city. Her search uncovers the true extent of the empire’s atrocities.
The three women find their answers – but at what cost to their world?
BOOK TWO IN THE ENDING FIRE TRILOGY
‘Epic, gripping, and searing’ Sue Lynn Tan
Book 3
🔥Praise for THE ENDING FIRE trilogy🔥
'Epic in scope, its worldbuilding as intricate as filigree. THE FINAL STRIFE sings of rebellion, love, and the courage it takes to stand up to tyranny, following three women whose journeys will keep you gripped to the last' Samantha Shannon, SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author of THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE
‘Epic, gripping, and searing’ Sue Lynn Tan, SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author of DAUGHTER OF THE MOON GODDESS
‘A game-changing new voice in epic fantasy’ Tasha Suri, author of THE JASMINE THRONE
FOR REBELLION TO IGNITE, SOMETHING MUST BURN.The Wardens’ Empire is falling. A vigilante known only as the Truthsayer is raising an army against the wardens. Sylah and Hassa must navigate the politics of this new world, all the while searching for Anoor.
Across the sea, the Blood Forged prepare for war, requesting aid from other governments. Jond’s role as major general sees him training their soldiers for combat, but matters of the heart will prove to be the hardest battlefield.
The Zalaam celebrate the arrival of the Child of Fire, heralding the start of the final battle. Anoor’s doubts are eclipsed by the powers of her new god. Soon the Zalaam set off on their last voyage – and few expect to return.
MORE PRAISE FOR THE TRILOGY SETTING THE WORLD ALIGHT:
‘By toggling between key points of view, El-Arifi grants readers a dramatic bird’s-eye view of both an unraveling world and the indomitable spirits of the women embroiled in its maelstrom. This is a knockout’ PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred)
‘Unmissable’ Andrea Stewart, author of THE BONE SHARD DAUGHTER
‘Featuring a love triangle, an enemies to lovers arc, and plenty of intrigue, this read will have you running the full gamut of emotions’ HUFFINGTON POST
‘Full of rich, vivid world-building with political intrigue and characters you can’t help but root for. I loved it’ Christina Sweeney-Baird, author of THE END OF MEN
‘Epic fantasy turned on its head in the most compelling way imaginable. A heroine with bite, a supporting cast of flawed but deeply human characters, and world building that is raw, unforgiving and richly textured, THE FINAL STRIFE is the real deal. El-Arifi is a bold new voice in epic fantasy and I cannot wait to read more of her work’ Kalynn Bayron, bestselling author of CINDERELLA IS DEAD
‘A rip-roaring read!’ Taran Matharu, author of the SUNDAY TIMES bestselling DRAGON RIDER