Sangu Mandanna - House of Rage and Sorrow

Copyright 2019 by Sangu Mandanna

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews and articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Sky Pony Press, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

First Edition

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are from the authors imagination, and used fictitiously.

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10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available on file.

Cover illustrations by iStock

Cover design by Kate Gartner

Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-5107-3379-4

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-3382-4

Printed in the United States of America

Praise for

A HOUSE OF RAGE AND SORROW

Mandanna is an astute observer of human nature and a master of suspense. Extraordinarily drawn characters and plot twists will keep readers hearts racing.

Kirkus Reviews , starred review

A rare gem of a sequel that manages to be even better than the first book! Each page drips with action and moral complexities, and plot twists that will both make and break your heart. Perfect for readers looking for sharp, smart, fast-paced fantasies, especially with fierce female leads.

Natasha Ngan, New York Times bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire

A thrilling sequel to Mandannas incredible A Spark of White Fire . A House of Rage and Sorrow takes a gorgeously rendered world of spaceship kingdoms, meddling gods, and galaxy-shaking prophecies and pairs it perfectly with an achingly intimate family drama. I cannot wait for the conclusion!

S. A. Chakraborty, author of The City of Brass and The Kingdom of Copper

Praise for

A SPARK OF WHITE FIRE

Sangu Mandannas A Spark of White Fire is full of brilliant, complex characters against a compelling mythological canvas. Its full of love and gods, reversals and surprises. I loved it and cant wait for the next book.

Kat Howard, Alex Award-winning author of An Unkindness of Magicians

A vivid labyrinth of lies and loyalties. Mandanna has built a dazzling world. Youll see stardust every time you close your eyes.

Olivia A. Cole, author of A Conspiracy of Stars

A gorgeous marriage of science fiction and fantasy. Meddling gods, princesses in exile, and cities aboard spaceships. This is nothing like youve ever read before.

Justina Ireland, New York Times bestselling author of Dread Nation

Sangu Mandanna seamlessly weaves science fiction elements with Indian mythology, creating a world that feels truly alive. Mandannas characters are fully fleshed, especially the engaging and sympathetic Esmae. A Spark of White Fire is the first in a trilogy, and readers will be eager for the next installment.

Shelf Awareness , starred review

In this seamless fusion of fantasy and sci-fi, Sangu Mandanna combines a dazzling world with gripping, high-stakes family drama. An epic opening chapter.

Samantha Shannon, New York Times bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree and The Bone Season

for Henry,
who makes ours a house of neither rage nor sorrow

CONTENTS

Dramatis Personae

(compiled by Titania , glorious warship and queen of the skies)

Kali

TITANIA, the heroine of this tale. A sentient spaceship. I was built by gods and I can never be destroyed or defeated. Except by King Darshan, for whom I was created, against whom I would be utterly useless. I am not at all bitter.

ESMAE REY, Princess of Kali, the only daughter of the former king Cassel and his queen Kyra. She won me in King Darshans competition, an act that led ultimately to the murder of her best friend at her twin brothers hands.

MAX REY, Crown Prince of Kali, Commander of the Hundred and One, the adopted son of King Elvar and Queen Guinne. A young man of many secrets. He helped his father steal the crown of Kali and exiled Alexi, Bear, and Kyra. Esmae recently found out Max has been covertly protecting her brothers from his uncles assassination attempts.

ELVAR REY, the usurper King of Kali. He is Esmaes uncle. Hes a little paranoid, in much the same way that the sun is a little warm, and he has been blind since birth. He loves his family. I think.

GUINNE REY, Queen of Kali, Elvars wife and Maxs adoptive mother. She is not blind but wears a blindfold.

SYBILLA BLOOM, Captain of the palace guard, second in command of the Hundred and One. As prickly as a thorn and much more likely to cause a fatal injury. She has spent the last few years living at the palace. She is fiercely loyal to Max but has been known to keep Esmaes secrets from even him.

SEBASTIAN RICKARD, one of Elvars most trusted advisors and the head of Kalis army. Of indeterminate age and known as one of the greatest warriors who has ever lived. He used to be Esmaes teacher before she lied to him and he is responsible for the curse that will ultimately be her downfall.

CASSELA REY, the former queen consort of Kali, Elvars grandmother and Esmaes great-grandmother. She was the one who cursed Esmaes mother. She is about as warm and grandmotherly as a blizzard.

JEMSY ROSE, HENRY ROSE, and JUNIPER ROSE, royal guards and members of the Hundred and One. Esmae is very fond of them.

SEBASTIAN RICKARD THE SECOND, Rickards only grandson.

SU YEN WING, a general in Kalis army and a member of the war council. She can usually be trusted to be sensible.

ILARA KHAY, a general in Kalis army.

Arcadia

ALEXI REY, the golden prince, one of the finest warriors in the star system and a slightly less talented archer than his twin sister, Esmae. He believes himself to be the rightful ruler of Kali.

ABRA REY, known to everyone as Bear. He is as cuddly and ferocious as his namesake. He fights on Alexis side.

KYRA REY, former queen consort of Kali, mother to Alexi, Bear, and Esmae. She is the beginning of one of the many threads that led to this war.

LEILA SAKA, general of Alexis army and his closest advisor. She was Maxs teacher before she left Kali to join Alexi. Esmae often compares her to a cobra, and shes not wrong.

Wychstar

RAMA KARN, the youngest prince of Wychstar. He was Esmaes best friend. He is now gone.

RADHA KARN, the youngest princess of Wychstar.

DARSHAN KARN, King of Wychstar, father to Rodi, Ria, Rama, and Radha. And me, I suppose. He took a vow of silence for ten years just so that the gods would help him build me. Esmae still doesnt know why.

RODI KARN, Crown Prince of Wychstar and devilishly charming to boot.

RIA KARN, the older of Darshans two daughters, second in line to the throne of Wychstar.

NINA LI, or Mistress Li as Esmae used to call her. She runs the childrens sanctuary on Wychstar where Esmae grew up.

Winter

RALF SNOW, the king of Winter and Alexis ally. He gifted Alexi the territory on his planet that is now the small kingdom Arcadia. He is also the man who used his teeth to pluck the bowstring when he competed for me. I liked that.