Dawn of the Firebird is a breathtaking fantasy novel about the daughter of an overthrown emperor from an exciting new voice.
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In This Spotlight On Dawn of the Firebird
About Dawn of the Firebird
In Dawn of the Firebird, Khamilla Zahr-zad’s life has been built on a foundation of violence and vengeance. Every home she’s known has been destroyed by war. As the daughter of an emperor’s clan, she spent her childhood training to maintain his throne. But when her clansmen are assassinated by another rival empire, plans change.
With her heavenly magic of nur, Khamilla is a weapon even enemies would wield—especially those in the magical, scholarly city of Za’skar. Hiding her identity, Khamilla joins the enemy’s army school full of jinn, magic, and martial arts, risking it all to topple her adversaries, avenge her clan, and reclaim their throne.
To survive, she studies under cutthroat mystic monks and battles in a series of contests to outmaneuver her fellow soldiers. She must win at all costs, even if it means embracing the darkness lurking inside her. But the more she excels, the more she is faced with history that contradicts her father’s teachings. With a war brewing amongst the kingdoms and a new twisted magic overtaking the land, Khamilla is torn between two impossible choices: vengeance or salvation.
Praise for Dawn of the Firebird
[Dawn of the Firebird is a] “Fierce, epic, and utterly unforgettable. Sarah Mughal Rana has crafted a masterpiece that stole my breath and left me in awe. A triumph of storytelling and imagination.”—June Hur, New York Times bestselling author of A Crane Among Wolves
“Epically woven with fascinating characters, riveting storytelling, and world-building that I dove headfirst into. Sarah Mughal Rana had me hooked from the first page of her debut, [Dawn of the Firebird] and I can’t wait for more from her.”—Justinian Huang, Stonewall Award-winning author of The Emperor and the Endless Palace
“Dawn of the Firebird has a propulsive, relentless feel that serves up twists until the very last page. If you enjoy morally grey characters and complex political worldbuilding, you can’t miss Sarah Mughal Rana’s fantasy debut. I couldn’t put it down!”—Vaishnavi Patel, New York Times bestselling author of Kaikeyi
“Intricately plotted with rich word building, compelling characters, and emotion that sears on the page, Dawn of the Firebird is one unforgettable story. Sarah Mughal Rana’s novel is a tour de force and is not to be missed.”—Rebecca Ross, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Divine Rivals
[Dawn of the Firebird is] “An action-packed adventure in a richly-drawn setting, with all the hallmarks of classic fantasy from a fresh and exciting new voice. Epic and luminous.”—Ava Reid, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning
“With her adult debut [Dawn of the Firebird], Sarah Mughal Rana offers a dazzling novel of bloody battles, heartbreaking betrayals, intricate worldbuilding, and an unforgettable cast of scheming characters. Khamilla is a fierce protagonist caught in a web of deceits and dark magic – that she herself helped to spin – and readers will still be rooting for her triumph at every turn! An ambitious work from a bold new voice in fantasy writing.”—Anuja Varghese, award-winning author of Chrysalis and the forthcoming A Kiss of Crimson Ash
“A fast plot with unexpected turns and intricate world building… the plot flows. I would strongly recommend [Dawn of the Firebird] for anyone who loves high fantasy.”—The Gloss
“Rana’s jam-packed adult fantasy debut [Dawn of the Firebird] explores a rich mythology grounded in the complexities of conflict. Rana does not shrink from the realities of war, with both physical violence and the mental toll it takes at the heart of the narrative. The result skillfully if brutally sets the stage for future installments. Military fantasy readers and fans of The Poppy War are sure to be pleased.”—Publishers Weekly
About Sarah Mughal Rana, Author of Dawn of the Firebird
Sarah Mughal Rana is a Muslim author and student who completed her bachelors with honours at the University of Toronto and is now at Oxford University, studying at the intersection of economics and policy. She is a BookTok personality and the co-host of On The Write Track Podcast where she enjoys spilling tea with her favourite authors about the book world.
Her debut YA novel, Hope Ablaze, published in February 2024. Outside of school, she falls down history rabbit holes and trains in traditional martial arts. Dawn of the Firebird is her adult debut.
You can connect with Sarah Mughal Rana on their website, Instagram and TikTok.
Source: Publisher
Publisher: Hanover Square Press | HarperCollins
ISBN Hardcover Deluxe Ed. 9780778387664
Pub Date: Dec 2, 2025
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