The Bloodprint Is a Compelling Epic That Pits Powerful Women Against a Intolerant Zealot

Nearly all the lands of Khorasan have been swept into the folds of the Talisman, a far-reaching militia under the leadership of the One-Eyed Preacher (and bearing no coincidental resemblance to the modern Taliban). The Preacher uses the authority granted him by the massive army to spread his tyrannical and corrupted views of the Claim—both the sacred scripture and a powerful magic in the land of Khorasan.
Arian, the First Oralist and a senior member of the Companions of Hira, a diverse group of woman charged with guardianship of Khorasan and the Claim’s heritage, has spent a decade alongside her apprentice Sinnia, trying to disrupt the Talisman’s slave trade, which has been stealing away the women of Khorasan, and track down any information that might lead her to the One-Eyed Preacher. After so many years separated from her sisters in the Companions, she no longer knows all the rules of the game, or even its players, and after discovering a powerful ancient text known as the Bloodprint, which may hold the key to ending the One-Eyed Preacher’s tyranny, she must learn quickly if she is to survive, and cleanse Khorasan of corruption.
Khan’s debut is a truly powerful quest-tale. Mysteries and political machinations abound, and we end this first installment with the feeling we’ve barely scratched the surface of a fascinating new world. It is a story of small movements and intricate intrigues, where the subtlest of moments may hide the biggest threats.
Arian’s journey drives the narrative, but we also explore Khorasan from the perspective of her traveling companions and a few other key players. And like Arian, we would be wise to question everyone and everything, as it is clear there are those we cannot trust, even when its unclear who we can. Though the plotting is intricate, the fast-paced prose style makes the book nearly impossible to put down. We never dally too long in any one place—fitting, in a desperate quest to save lives. The pacing matches Arian’s sense of urgency as she delves into the mystery that may hold the key to her people’s future.
Arian is a compelling protagonist, driven by her commitment to the Claim, to the Council of Hira, and by her passion for language and the written word. Her drive inspires those around her to follow her, to sacrifice themselves for her quest, and to strengthen their wills. Kahn shows skill at creating compelling heroes worth following through a multi-book epic, and a despotic villain worth cursing all the way to the end.
Khan holds a PhD in international human rights law, and her real-world experience with military interventions and war crimes add subtle realism to the tapestry of this tale, and truly make the novel stand apart in a crowded field of dark fantasy sagas. Never does the story feel forced or the characters manipulated by the narrative, and Khan maintains a delicate balance of hope and horribleness in her world, not least through the spirit of sisterhood that binds the Companions of Hira.
As the opening installment for a planned quartet, this volume leaves us with many unanswered questions, but also reveals enough secrets to feel like a story worth reading all on its own. It’s one of the year’s finest fantasy debuts, and Ausma Zehanat Khan is an author you’ll want to follow.
The Bloodprint is available now.