The Bruising of Qilwa

The Bruising of Qilwa
Tachyon Publications, August 2022

Add on Goodreads
In this intricate fantasy novella, a refugee practitioner of blood magic finds a strange disease that causes political rifts in their new homeland. Persian-American author Naseem Jamnia is a vital new voice who has crafted a gripping narrative layered with themes of persecution, healing, and family. The Bruising of Qilwa is the newest arrival in the era of new fantasy classics such as the Broken Earth Trilogy (The Fifth Season), The Four Profound Weaves, and Who Fears Death.

Firuz-e Jafari is one of the fortunate ones who have emigrated to the Free Democratic City-State of Qilwa. Firuz has escaped the slaughter of other traditional Sassanian blood magic practitioners. They have a good job at a free healing clinic in Qilwa; a kindly new employer, Kofi; and a gifted new student, Afsoneh, a troubled orphan refugee.

But Firuz and Kofi have discovered a terrible new disease which leaves mysterious bruises on its victims. The illness is spreading quickly through Qilwa, and there are dangerous accusations of ineptly performed blood magic. In order to survive, Firuz must break a deadly cycle of prejudice while finding a fresh start for their both their blood and found family.
Add on Goodreads
Content Notes and Representation
I believe it's important to be both upfront and specific about both of these things, so here is what you can expect from the book.
Some of these draw upon my own experiences.
Content Notes
Medical racism
Ethnically motivated violence
Former colonization/empire
Descriptions of a refugee/migration crisis
Mentions of genocide
Child death
Disordered eating behavior
Mostly mild self-harm (for magic reasons)
Body dysmorphia from gender dysphoria (and related medical transitions)
Discussions of trauma
Body horror
Representation
Aroace protagonist
Nonbinary genders (including neopronouns) throughout
Binary and nonbinary trans main characters
SWANA-inspired cultures
Persian-inspired culture at the center
Main characters with c-PTSD
Bonus
All BIPOC cast
All queer cast

Naseem Jamnia

literary speculative fiction centering marginalized characters

literary speculative fiction centering marginalized characters

Tachyon Publications, August 2022

Content Notes and Representation

I believe it's important to be both upfront and specific about both of these things, so here is what you can expect from the book.
Some of these draw upon my own experiences.

Content Notes

Representation

Bonus

Naseem Jamnia literary speculative fiction centering marginalized characters

literary speculative fiction centering marginalized characters

The Bruising of Qilwa

Tachyon Publications, August 2022

Content Notes and Representation

I believe it's important to be both upfront and specific about both of these things, so here is what you can expect from the book.Some of these draw upon my own experiences.

Content Notes

Representation

Bonus

Naseem Jamnia

literary speculative fiction centering marginalized characters

I believe it's important to be both upfront and specific about both of these things, so here is what you can expect from the book.
Some of these draw upon my own experiences.