Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove

Eighteen-year-old Katyani feels as if her life is not entirely her own in this fluidly plotted, medieval India–set fantasy by Mehrotra (Markswoman, for adults). When Katyani was three, Queen Hemlata of Chandela saved her from death by creating a soul bond between them; their tie means that she always knows the queen’s location and feelings, making Katyani the perfect bodyguard. Now one of the Garuda, elite royal protectors, she’s responsible for the safety of the entire royal family and serves as an adviser to Crown Prince Ayan. After a barrage of assassination attempts jeopardizes Ayan’s safety, a reluctant Katyani must accompany him to an ethics and military arts school. There she’s tasked with protecting him from the dangerous creatures who inhabit the surrounding area while he learns from a monster-fighting sage. Katyani and the teacher’s son, 19-year-old Daksh, are immediately and openly hostile toward each other, but when war breaks out and secrets from her past are revealed, she realizes that her loyalties may lead her to betrayal. Katyani’s bold, vivacious personality and a swoony enemies-to-lovers romance imbue this tense, action-packed narrative with wry humor. Ages 14–up. Agent: Mary C. Moore, Kimberly Cameron & Assoc. (Oct.)