WATTYS 2021 Historical Fiction winner | Writers Of The Past Series. 4000 years ago, in an empire where women were little more than flowers on the wall, one princess cemented her story in history and changed the art of writing for centuries to come. *** Based on the real-life Akkadian princess and high-priestess Enheduanna, this novel explores the life of history's first author. An outspoken visionary with a talent for writing down her deepest emotions, Enheduanna's life is turned upside-down when the god Nanna chooses her to become the high priestess of Ur. As her power in the city of Ur grows, so does her list of enemies. But her own safety is the least of her worries when thousands depend on her to keep the vengeful gods happy, and their land safe. Either way, Enheduanna is not willing to go down without a fight. One way or another, she will carve her own path, and nobody is going to erase her from the pages of history. - part 1 of the Writers Of The Past Series -

Like many low elves in the kingdom of Edresh, Morana was orphaned as a child during the war against neighboring Araphel. But Morana is more fortunate than most, and is taken to live in the palace as a companion to a captive princess, Astreia. She and Astreia become like sisters, and Morana nurses a tension-filled friendship with the sometimes cruel, but always charming High Elf Prince Tievel. But even with the war over, all is not well in Edresh. A curse spreads through the land, raising ghouls and monsters and stealing the lives of the unborn. Yet it is ignored by the High Elf nobility, whose immortality renders such concerns beneath them. Then, the king-Tievel's grandfather-is killed by a magical Araphelian assassin known as a Reaper. When Morana encounters the Reaper as he's making his escape, he reveals a truth that Morana had long-denied: she is one of the last Deathsingers, a wielder of the very same forbidden magic that inspired the king's savage assault on Araphel. Furthermore, her ability to Sing away immortality might just be the key to stopping the horrors slowly consuming their world... But only if she is willing to condemn those like her dear Tievel, who have only ever known eternal life, to the cold permanence of death. To right the wrongs of long ago and prevent the world's unraveling, Morana must dive head first into the sort of danger she's always avoided and venture into Araphel with her friends. But the Reaper is always close behind, a constant reminder of both what Morana is and the impossible sacrifice she might be called upon to make... Season 1 on The Deathsinger WARNING: This story contains depictions of violence and depictions of sexual assault that may not be suitable for some readers.