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A Kiss of Crimson Ash

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A Kiss of Crimson Ash

By: Anuja Varghese
Narrated by: Ali Kazmi, Anuja Varghese, Lara Arabian, Premika Leo, Varun Guru
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'A Kiss of Crimson Ash is the ultimate thrilling, clever, and swoony romantasy, following the epic journey of characters who feel as real as the rich and vibrant world that they move through . . . Anuja Varghese is an incredible storyteller'
Thea Guanzon, New York Times bestselling author of The Hurricane Wars

Nandapore is a city of secrets and spellcasters where seduction reigns and a power-hungry king is never satisfied. To stop him, an ancient goddess seeks out a newly crowned queen, a heartsick prince, a common thief, and a courtesan with magic in her blood.

Together, they chart a course through brothels, temples, taverns, and palaces, setting a trap for the empire's most powerful men. Linked by desire, destiny, and a dangerous foe, they each must decide what they are willing to risk for a weapon worth dying for, and a love worth life itself.

Inspired by medieval India's most epic love stories, this debut romantasy blends rich storytelling, lush worldbuilding and spice of every variety.

'Mesmerizing debut romantasy . . . Varghese delivers a triumphant start to a bold new series with complex, sophisticated worldbuilding inspired by medieval Indian epics and meticulous character work. Perfectly balancing the epic fantasy scope with intimate romantic moments, this is a stunner'
Publishers Weekly (starred review)

'A Kiss of Crimson Ash is a feat of richly layered storytelling . . . . my new favourite fantasy book of the year'
Aparna Verma, author of The Phoenix King

'A seductive and magical romantasy from a wonderful new voice - a truly vibrant epic and erotic read'
Tasha Suri, bestselling author of The Isle in the Silver Sea

'A Kiss of Crimson Ash lures you close with a story as sleek and dangerous as a serpent's coils, then intoxicates you with vibrant characters and sensual beauty. A smouldering debut!'
Lyra Selene, author of A Feather so Black©2026 Anuja Varghese Epic Fantasy Royalty Magic Heartfelt War Fiction
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Critic reviews

Two words: beautiful chaos. And I'm here for every second of it! A Kiss of Crimson Ash is the ultimate thrilling, clever, and swoony romantasy, following the epic journey of characters who feel as real as the rich and vibrant world that they move through. Every page left me highly entertained and very much impressed. Anuja Varghese is an incredible storyteller with a knack for punching you right in the heart (Thea Guanzon, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of THE HURRICANE WARS)
Mesmerizing debut romantasy . . . Varghese delivers a triumphant start to a bold new series with complex, sophisticated worldbuilding inspired by medieval Indian epics and meticulous character work. Perfectly balancing the epic fantasy scope with intimate romantic moments, this is a stunner (PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred review))
Varghese's debut, the first in a proposed medieval Indian-inspired romantasy trilogy, is an enthralling, heart- racing tale full of magic, mystery, romance and spicy scenes that will make readers' toes curl. Interwoven in the atmospheric world building are themes such as racism and misogyny, balanced with themes of finding oneself and queer love. An absolute must-read for any romantasy fan (BOOKLIST (starred review))
A seductive and magical romantasy from a wonderful new voice - a truly vibrant epic and erotic read (Tasha Suri, bestselling author of THE ISLE IN THE SILVER SEA)
A Kiss of Crimson Ash lures you close with a story as sleek and dangerous as a serpent's coils, then intoxicates you with vibrant characters and sensual beauty. A smouldering debut! (Lyra Selene, author of A FEATHER SO BLACK)
Full of compelling characters, enticing magic and simmering sensuality, A Kiss of Crimson Ash is a brilliant new addition to the realm of Indian fantasy (Tara Sim, author of THE CITY OF DUSK)
I loved getting tangled in this lush and twisty braid of magic, intrigue and desire. Varghese breathes new, and spicy, life into epic fantasy (Davinia Evans, author of NOTORIOUS SORCEROR)
A story of love, betrayal and divine fury that grips cities and kingdoms across a great empire, A Kiss of Crimson Ash is a finely balanced book, by parts epic in scale and alluringly intimate, filled with heat and magic (Molly O'Neill, author of GREENTEETH)
A sizzling read that kept me up half the night buried in its pages. Varghese cleverly twists elemental magic through vitally relevant social issues and sprinkles it with delicious queer spice. The intricately lush world building carried me away until I could feel the sand between my toes and taste the yearning on the air with the incoming monsoon! (Katharine J. Adams, the author of TONIGHT I BURN)
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