“National Velvetwith monsters and a big helping of palace intrigue, Race the Sands ismonstrous (literally), heartwarming, and empowering in equal measure. Anincredibly fun and inspiring read.” – Katherine Arden, New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the NightingaleIn this epic standalone fantasy, the acclaimed author of the Queens of Renthia series introduces an imaginative new world in which a pair of strong and determined women risk their lives battling injustice, corruption, and deadly enemies in their quest to become monster racing champions.Life, death, and rebirth—inBecar, who you are in this life will determine your next life. Yet there ishope—you can change your destiny with the choices you make. But for the darkestindividuals, there is no redemption: you come back as a kehok, a monster, andare doomed to be a kehok for the rest of time.Unless you can win theRaces.After a celebrated career as an elite kehok rider, Tamrabecame a professional trainer. Then a tragicaccident shattered her confidence, damaged her reputation, and left her nearlybroke. Now, she needs the prize money to prevent the local temple from takingher daughter away from her, and that means she must once again find a winningkehok . . . and a rider willing to trust her.Raia is desperate to getaway from her domineering family and cruel fiancé. As a kehok rider, she couldearn enough to buy her freedom. But she needs a first-rate trainer.Impressed by the inexperiencedyoung woman’s determination, Tamra hires Raia and pairs her with a strange newkehok with the potential to win—if he can be tamed.But in this sport, if youforget you’re riding on the back of a monster, you die. Tamra and Raia willwork harder than they ever thought possible to win the deadly Becaran Races—andin the process, discover what makes this particular kehok so special.
