RAVAGE THE DARK by Tara Sim

Last year, I featured SCAVENGE THE STARS by Tara Sim. I’m ecstatic to announce that the sequel, RAVAGE THE DARK is due out on March 9, 2021 (she’s also announced a new adult fantasy series):

When Amaya rescues a mysterious stranger from drowning, she fears her rash actions have earned her a longer sentence on the debtor ship where she’s been held captive for years. Instead, the man she saved offers her unimaginable riches and a new identity, setting Amaya on a perilous course through the coastal city-state of Moray, where old-world opulence and desperate gamblers collide.

Amaya wants one thing: revenge against the man who ruined her family and stole the life she once had. But the more entangled she becomes in this game of deception—and as her path intertwines with the son of the man she’s plotting to bring down—the more she uncovers about the truth of her past. And the more she realizes she must trust no one…

For seven long years, while she was imprisoned on a debtor’s ship, Amaya Chandra had one plan: to survive. But now, survival is not enough. She has people counting on her; counting on her for protection, for leadership, for vengeance. And after escaping Moray by the skin of her teeth, she’s determined to track down the man who betrayed her and her friends.

Cayo Mercado has lost everything: his money, his father, his reputation. Everything except his beloved sister. But he’s well on his way to losing her, too, with no way to afford the treatment for her deadly illness. In a foreign empire also being consumed by ash fever, Cayo has no choice but to join Amaya in uncovering the mystery of the counterfeit currency, the fever, and how his father was involved in their creation. But Cayo still hasn’t forgiven Amaya for her earlier deception, and their complicated feelings for each other are getting harder and harder to ignore.

Through glittering galas, dazzling trickery, and thrilling heists, Cayo and Amaya will learn that the corruption in Moray goes far deeper than they know, and in the end the only people they can trust are each other.

In our last interview, you said, “I love playing video games. It’s my number one way to relax while also refilling the creative well.” What has been one of your favorite video games to play lately and why?

I absolutely fell in love with Hades, which is a roguelike game where you play as the son of Hades and Persephone trying to escape the underworld with the help of the Olympian gods. It’s amazing. I also loved Spider-Man: Miles Morales and The Ghost of Tsushima.

Sounds like fun! In RAVAGE THE DARK, Cayo has to deal with forgiveness. In what ways, if any, did he surprise you?

In a lot of ways, SCAVENGE is Amaya’s book and RAVAGE is Cayo’s book. He has the most growing to do in this one, and he goes through trials that really test him to his limit. His resilience surprised me, considering that he grew up as a spoiled, privileged party boy, and both he and I learned exactly what lengths he’d go to for those he loves.

I’ll bet his journey is quite exciting! What helps you the most when writing to a deadline?

Taking time off. No, seriously. If I don’t take some time every day to unwind and recharge, or take a full day off every week, I’ll burnout super quickly. Getting the work done is important, but resting is equally important.

So true! What are you looking forward to the most in 2021?

Getting vaccinated :,)

SCAVENGE THE STARS SERIES

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