Kritika H Rao

The Surviving Sky

High above a jungle-planet float the last refuges of humanity—plant-made civilizations held together by tradition, technology, and arcane science. In these living cities, architects are revered above anyone else. If not for their ability to psychically manipulate the architecture, the cities would plunge into the
devastating earthrage storms below.

Charismatic, powerful, mystical, Iravan is one such architect. In his city, his word is nearly law. His abilities are his identity, but to Ahilya, his wife, they are a way for survival to be reliant on the privileged few. Like most others, she cannot manipulate the plants. And she desperately seeks change.

Their marriage is already thorny—then Iravan is accused of pushing his abilities to forbidden limits. He needs Ahilya to help clear his name; she needs him to tip the balance of rule in their society. As their paths become increasingly intertwined, deadly truths emerge, challenging everything each of them believes. And as the earthrages become longer, and their floating city begins to plummet, Iravan and Ahilya's discoveries might destroy their marriage, their culture, and their entire civilization.

Publisher: DAW/ Penguin Random House
Publication Date: Fall 2022
ISBN: Coming soon.

Reviews to come.

Available for order:

COMING SOON

Kritika H. Rao is a science-fiction and fantasy writer, who has lived in India, Australia, Canada and The Sultanate of Oman. Kritika’s stories are influenced by her experiences, and often explore themes of consciousness, self vs. the world, and identity. The Surviving Sky, a Hindu philosophy inspired epic science-fantasy, is her debut novel and will be out in Fall 2022 by DAW, Penguin Random House Books. She drops in and out of social media; you might catch her on Twitter or Instagram @KritikaHRao.

https://kritikahrao.com

Tags: Adult, Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Literary, Romance, Speculative Fiction/SFF, BIPOC