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Bird King Rising

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Book 2 of Letters from Maynara

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Pub Date Oct 13 2026 | Archive Date Not set

Bindery Books | Violetear


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Description

A new queen reigns. A rebellion stirs. Will she risk it all to rule?

Newly crowned queen Laya Gatdula is determined to prove her worth to her subjects, her family, her rivals--and herself. When whispers of rebellion and rumored sightings of a giant raptor in the mountainous Skylands reach the capital, Laya must face the terrifying realization that her ex-lover and rival, Luntok, might still be alive and coming for the throne. Though she already wields power over wind and rain, to quell the threat from the north, Laya seeks the ultimate weapon: lightning.

Torn between the counsel of two men--her beloved confidant and her ruthless uncle--Laya must trust herself to cement her legacy and hold the throne. Is it better to earn her nation's loyalty through benevolent rule, or risk everything to become an all-powerful god? And with Luntok rapidly gathering his army, will she live long enough to make the choice?

From Samantha Bansil, a brilliant, fresh voice in AAPI fiction, Bird King Rising returns to the world of Black Salt Queen with the gripping conclusion to an epic story of duty and strength, passion and betrayal, and the devastating cost of war.

A new queen reigns. A rebellion stirs. Will she risk it all to rule?

Newly crowned queen Laya Gatdula is determined to prove her worth to her subjects, her family, her rivals--and herself. When...


Advance Praise

Praise for Black Salt Queen:

"Bansil's debut, the first in a proposed series, is a captivating read filled with love, power, and betrayal, set against a lush island background. Readers will eagerly await the second installment." --Booklist

"Centered within a whirling battle between love and power, Black Salt Queen is an epic tale of female ambition, court intrigue, and betrayal that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Bansil is a writer to watch." --O. O. Sangoyomi, author of Masquerade

"Richly immersive with political intrigue as sharp as a blade, Black Salt Queen is a triumph of a debut. This precolonial Philippines-inspired fantasy is a vivid portrayal of love and power and what happens when one is forced to choose between them. Skillfully epic yet splendidly intimate." --Maddie Martinez, author of The Maiden and Her Monster

"Complex matriarchs in a vivid setting. A marvelous addition to the growing multitude of voices in Filipino fantasy fiction." --K. S. Villoso, author of The Wolf of Oren-Yaro

"Black Salt Queen is a superbly gripping tale of love, mortality, and the intergenerational effects of trauma. With lush and evocative prose, Samantha Bansil brings to life a Filipino fantasy world of mythic proportions that is bursting with historical and cultural details. If you want intrigue, passionate romance, and a delicious dose of yearning, Black Salt Queen is a must read." --Gabriella Buba, author of Saints of Storm and Sorrow and Daughters of Flood and Fury

"Samantha Bansil crafts the perfect storm in Black Salt Queen. Crackling with magic, the prose is as soft as a summer rain but packs the punch of an unrelenting monsoon. The plot--steeped in equal parts love and betrayal--is utterly addicting. Moreover, the three main characters offer a clever and varied exploration of femininity, motherhood, and power. This book kept me reading late into the night and [made me] never want to leave Maynara." --S. Hati, author of And the Sky Bled

"Passion, heartache, and betrayal layered over a lush, history-rich world. Black Salt Queen is all consuming yet balances on the edge of a blade. I'm dying for more!" --Brittney Arena, author of A Dance of Lies

Praise for Black Salt Queen:

"Bansil's debut, the first in a proposed series, is a captivating read filled with love, power, and betrayal, set against a lush island background. Readers will eagerly...


Marketing Plan

  • Social campaign with over 5M direct reach plus paid promotions
  • National print, broadcast, and online media campaign including radio and podcast interviews
  • Extensive review copy mailings to booksellers, media, and influencers
  • Netgalley and Goodreads promotions
  • NYC launch event with broad influencer and media attendance
  • Social campaign with over 5M direct reach plus paid promotions
  • National print, broadcast, and online media campaign including radio and podcast interviews
  • Extensive review copy mailings to booksellers...

Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781967967285
PRICE $19.95 (USD)

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