This Dark Descent by Kalyn Josephson (This Dark Descent book 1)

 

“Mikira Rusel’s family has long been famous for breeding enchanted horses, but their prestige is no match for their rising debts. To save her ranch, Mikira has only one option: she must win the Illinir, a treacherous horserace whose riders either finish maimed or murdered. Yet each year, competitors return, tempted by its alluring prize money and unparalleled prestige.

Mikira’s mission soon unites her with Arielle Kadar, an impressive yet illicit enchanter just beginning to come into her true power, and Damien Adair, a dashing young lord in the midst of a fierce succession battle. Both have hidden reasons of their own to help Mikira -- as well as their own blood feuds to avenge…

Steeped in Jewish folklore, This Dark Descent is a pulse-pounding new fantasy full of forbidden magic, sizzling romance, and epic stakes. In a world as dangerous as this, will the need for vengeance butcher Mikira’s chances of winning the Illinir … or will another rider’s dagger?” - taken from Goodreads.

This book was incredible! It’s full of romance, magic, and a high stakes game where the winner takes all and the loser is left with nothing. With everything dependent on winning the Ilinar, a deadly horse race, Mikira must place her trust in two people who have their own reasons for wanting Mikira to win the Illinar. Can she survive to win or wil she lose it all? Perfect for fans of Maggie Stiefvater’s The Scorpio Races, one of my favorite books.

This story will conclude with Our Deadly Designs on September 24, 2024.

Visit Kalyn Josephson’s website.