Available Formats
The Final Strife (The Final Strife, Book 1)
By (Author) Saara El-Arifi
Book 1
HarperCollins Publishers
HarperVoyager
5th July 2023
2nd March 2023
United Kingdom
General
Fiction
Historical fantasy
Dark fantasy
Fantasy romance
Urban fantasy
Dystopian and utopian fiction
Science fiction
Adventure / action fiction
Narrative theme: Coming of age
Narrative theme: Politics
823.92
Paperback
512
Width 129mm, Height 198mm, Spine 32mm
350g
THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
'Epic in scope, its worldbuilding as intricate as filigree,THE FINAL STRIFE sings of rebellion, love, and the courage it takes to stand up to tyranny'
Samantha Shannon, bestselling author of THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE
The empire is ruled by blood: red-blooded Embers, blue-blooded Dusters and clear-blooded Ghostings. All will be shed in the coming battle for power.
The Aktibar a set of trials held every ten years to find the next Ember rulers of the Empire is about to begin.
All Embers can join but it requires great skill to win.
Sylah was destined to become Warden of Strength, forged as a weapon to change the Empire from within. Those dreams of a better future turned to dust when her family were brutally murdered.
But Sylah wasnt made to sparkle, she was born to burn. And as the trials draw near its time for her to decidewill she rule the Empire or destroy it
Featuring a love triangle, an enemies to lovers arc, and plenty of intrigue, this read will have you running the full gamut of emotions Huffington Post UK
El-Arifi is a game-changing new voice in epic fantasy, and The Final Strife is a triumph of book, full of rage, charm, and a cast of misfits you can't help but root for. There are no Chosen Ones here. Only bad choices and blood
Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne
Epic, gripping and searing, The Final Strife weaves a fascinating tale of destiny, magic and love set in a richly imagined yet brutally divided world. Its unexpected, gritty heroine is one you cannot help but root for, and the story will stay with you long after the last page
Sue Lynn Tan, author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess
El-Arifi tells a tale that is as fierce as its characters, plunging you into a sandy, stratified world until you can feel the grit between your teeth. Heart-wrenching and heart-pounding, The Final Strife is an unmissable debut
Andrea Stewart, author of Bone Shard Daughter
Full of rich, vivid world-building with political intrigue and characters you cant help but root for. I loved it
Christina Sweeney-Baird, author of The End of Men
Epic fantasy turned on its head in the most compelling way imaginable. A heroine with bite, a supporting cast of flawed but deeply human characters, and world building that is raw, unforgiving and richly textured, The Final Strife is the real deal. El-Arifi is a bold new voice in epic fantasy and I cannot wait to read more of her work
Kalynn Bayron, bestselling author of Cinderella Is Dead and This Poison Heart
A rip-roaring read!
Taran Matharu, NYT bestselling author of the Summoner and Contender series
With a DNA profile that lights up like a satellite photograph of earth, Saara El-Arifi's heritage is intrinsically linked to the themes she explores in her writing. She was raised in the Middle East until her formative years, when her family swapped the Abu Dhabi desert for the English Peak District hills. This change of climate had a significant impact on her growth-not physically, she's nearly 6ft-and she learned what it was to be Black in a white world. El-Arifi knew she was a storyteller from the moment she told her first lie. Though her stories have developed beyond the ramblings of a child, she still appreciates the thrill of a well-told tale. The Final Strife is Saara El-Arifi's debut novel, the first part of a trilogy inspired by Ghanaian folklore and Arabian myths.