Riyati Rivals by Kai Zeal

What would you sacrifice to alter an already guaranteed future? The new school year has begun in the quiet town of Opal Pines, and with it, new problems for Kylie and Jordan: Kylie’s mother barely lets her out of sight, and Jordan’s new friend makes it clear he’s no fan of Kylie. Even their older selves are at odds with each other: Siani refuses to intervene in the events to come; meanwhile, Rotanu is not sure the ends justify the means needed to get there. To make matters even worse, a familiar woman from the June kidnapping is back and wants Kylie’s head. What happens when the past is painful and still seeks vengeance, the present is lonely, and the future uncertain? Riyati Rivals is the second book of a new adult/adult contemporary, low dark fantasy series that seeks to explore themes of identity, legacy, the greater good, and finding your own path in life. The Riyati series includes multiple first person perspectives and multiple queer characters (currently including demisexual/romantic and lesbian representation with more to come in future books), set in the modern day United States.

Adult • Contemporary Fiction • Fantasy/Dark • Diversity Representation/Neurodiversity/Own Voices • Fantasy/Contemporary • Diversity Representation/LGBTQ+/Own Voices

Content Warning: Abandonment, alcoholism, attempted suicide, blood, bullying, child abuse, classism, confinement, death, emotional abuse, emotional manipulation, extreme violence, gore, homelessness, human experimentation, kidnapping, misogyny, murder, parental neglect, physical abuse, poverty, self-harm, stalking, strong adult language, substance abuse, suicide, suicidal ideation, torture, toxic friendship, and trauma-based responses.