Overview

An urban fantasy debut of murder, mystery, and language magic for fans of Rebecca Roanhorse and RF Kuang. Kea Petrova is dealing with more than her fair share of trouble. At just twenty-five years old, she’s the youngest of the five Hawaiian clan leaders living on the Homestead in outer Los Angeles, following catastrophic flooding that destroyed their islands. Kea struggles to keep her small clan afloat, scraping rent together through odd jobs and selling the Hawaiian-language spells she crafts. Life is difficult enough, but the murder of Angelo Reyes—a prominent LA activist—turns her world upside-down. Angelo was killed by a death spell—something that can only be created in Hawaiian—so Kea quickly becomes the prime suspect, known for her unique spellwork. To clear her name, she must unravel the mystery behind Angelo’s murder and confront LA’s most powerful players, all while under the supervision of a dangerously attractive guard. The clock is ticking—can Kea save herself, her clan, and the Homestead before it’s too late?

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9781837864683

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Reviews

“Fascinating linguistic-turned-magical theory, electrifying moments of intimacy, and a thrilling whodunit set this apart from the pack.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review “An absolutely fantastic debut. A fantasy steeped in language magic and a murder mystery, The Killing Spell serves as a thoughtful exploration of the consequences of colonization and the choices the colonized are forced to make in order to survive. I tore through this book and loved every second. Shay Kauwe is a talent to watch.” —Rebecca Roanhorse, New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award-winning author of the Between Earth & Sky trilogy “Pulsing with language-based magic, Kauwe’s mystery debut unapologetically rips into the legacy of colonialism on Native Hawaiians. An exceptional addition to fantasy and Pacific Islander literature.” —Manuia Heinrich, author of Salt Water Blood “High-spirited, inventive, and action-packed, The Killing Spell is a skillfully constructed murder mystery that weaves together magic and romance, family and resistance, while showcasing the power of ‘olelo—the Hawaiian spoken word. It’s a dazzling debut.” —Chris McKinney, author of The Tattoo and The Water City Trilogy “A thrilling mystery with a bold and exciting linguistic magic system and themes painfully familiar to the Hawaiian diaspora in the modern day, The Killing Spell is a deeply Hawaiian—and human—story. Kea’s powerful voice will stay with you like magic... the dangerous kind.” —Aleese Lin, author of Samantha Spük: Paranormal Wedding Planner “Magical and mystical, Shay Kauwe is deeply imaginative in this spellbinding debut.” —Electric Lit “Startlingly original.” —CrimeReads “Inventive and just really, really exciting..” —Reactor

“Fascinating linguistic-turned-magical theory, electrifying moments of intimacy, and a thrilling whodunit set this apart from the pack.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

Author Information

Shay Kauwe was born and raised on the island of Oʻahu and grew up on the Hawaiian Homelands in Waimānalo. She worked in Russia as an English teacher but was eventually drawn back home. While she has a corporate job in telecommunications, Shay continues to educate with the Hawaii Literacy Project. She resides in Honolulu with her husband, Denis, and their poi dog, Iris. Learn more about Shay at www.shayzykova.com and on Instagram as shayzykova.

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