A Kiss of Crimson Ash

Linked by desire, destiny, and a dangerous foe, four heirs each must decide what they will risk for a weapon worth dying for, and a love worth staying alive for in this debut erotic epic fantasy inspired by medieval India’s most epic love stories.

Taara, the newly crowned Queen of Abhaya, must marry whether she wishes to or not. Her betrothed is Garjan, Prince of Nandapore, a neighboring city-state full of secrets and spellcasters, ruled by a power-hungry king plotting to unearth a weapon that has only lived in myth…until now.

When she marries Prince Garjan, Taara does not know that Garjan’s heart lies with Bhediya, a courtesan with forbidden magic in her blood, nor that a member of Garjan’s concubine court will awaken desires of her own. 

With a goddess guiding her steps through an intricate web of politics and desire, Taara must decide — what will she risk for a weapon worth dying for, and for love worth life itself?

​★ “Thrilling, clever, and swoony.” – Thea Guanzon, author of The Hurricane Wars

​★ “A truly vibrant, epic read.”―Tasha Suri, author of The Isle in the Silver Sea 

​★ ”An absolute must-read for any romantasy fan.”―Booklist (Starred Review)

​★ “Mesmerizing.” ― Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
 

Featuring: 
Queer/sapphic + straight romance 
High heat
Multi-POV storytelling
Bollywood vibes 
Dual magic systems 

• "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)
• "An enthralling, heart racing tale full of magic, mystery, romance, and spicy scenes that will make readers' toes curl. An absolute must-read for any romantasy fan."
  Booklist (Starred Review)
• “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
• "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
• "Deeply erotic and stunningly epic, A Kiss of Crimson Ash is intimately and unapologetically Indian, and a breath of fresh air in the fantasy landscape. Sure to keep you riveted, turning page by glorious page, this is a series to watch!"
  Kritika H. Rao, bestselling author of The Legend of Meneka
• "Set in a lush, dazzling world reminiscent of traditional epics, A Kiss of Crimson Ash combines political intrigue, complex relationships, and dangerous magic to craft an extraordinary tale about the power of love. Varghese is a stellar new voice in romantasy!"
  Amy Leow, author of The Scarlet Throne
• “A Kiss of Crimson Ash is a feat of richly layered storytelling, with deep complex characters who will stay with you beyond the page. It is my new favorite fantasy book of the year.”
  Aparna Verma, author of The Phoenix King
• "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 Sorcerer
• "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 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 smoldering debut!"
  Lyra Selene, author of A Feather So Black
• "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, author of Tonight, I Burn
• "A Kiss of Crimson Ash tells a tale of self-discovery, political intrigue, military maneuvers, and both strategic and unexpected alliances, set in a world filled with rich lore and magic, told in a voice that is equal parts enchanting and alluring, seductive and sweet."
  Ai Jiang, author of A Palace Near the Wind
• "Varghese constructs a rich, textured world where the traditional roles of queens and courtesans are reimagined through a lush, feminist lens. Seamlessly blending South Asian-inspired mythology with slow-burn political intrigue and magical awakening, A Kiss of Crimson Ash is a steamy start to an epic ride." 
  Shalini Abeysekara, author of This Monster of Mine
• “ At once intimate and sweeping, A Kiss of Crimson Ash bursts across the senses like a riot of color across the canvas. To step into the world of Anuja Varghese is to step into magic, to delight in the power and prowess of a writer whose gift for a tale is, in turn, a gift to all of her readers. I cannot wait for Book Two!”
  Amanda Leduc, author of Wild Life