Iron Heart (Crier’s War 2)

Nina Varela delivers the second book in a richly imagined queer fantasy duology perfect for fans of Westworld, Game of Thrones, and Marie Rutkoski’s The Winner’s Curse!

For too long the cruel, beautiful Automae have lorded over the kingdom of Rabu, oppressing every human citizen. Luckily, the human revolution is rising, and at its heart is Ayla. Once handmaiden, now fugitive, Ayla narrowly escaped the palace of Lady Crier, the girl Ayla had planned to kill but fell in love with instead.
Now Ayla has pledged her allegiance to Queen Junn, who can help achieve the rebellion’s ultimate goal: destroy the Iron Heart. Without it, the Automae will be weakened to the point of extinction.
But playing at Ayla’s memory are the powerful, intimate feelings she developed for Crier. And unbeknownst to her, Crier has also fled the palace, determined to find and protect Ayla, and has taken up with traveling rebels.
As their paths collide, neither is prepared for the dark secret underlying the Iron Heart. Whether they’re together or apart, Crier and Ayla know that the only way to end this war is through the Heart.
They just need to find it first.