YouTube video by Adrianne Lenker

Court of Snakes: Bitter Truth, Honeyed Justice is a YA political dystopian fantasy: think The Hunger Games meets the politics and tone of Avatar: The Last Airbender. A boy trapped in a brutal desert city must choose between survival through cruelty or revolution through compassion, exploring how truth, power, and love reshape justice. A girl grapples with the trauma her father caused while keeping the city from falling apart. Together, they have to set the city free.This book is the sequel to my book Court of Snakes: This Desert Cage, but can be read as a standalone.NOTE: This book is in ARC format. There may be mistakes in the manuscript, so please treat this manuscript as in progress.* * *The city of Segeno is on edge. Terran, nearing his 18th birthday, struggles with the burdens of leadership. The people are restless, resources are dwindling, and chaos looms. Parisa, now happily engaged, aids where she can but is haunted by her father’s legacy.A stranger, Aumi, brings shocking news: the Great War never happened. The world outside Segeno has thrived, and the city’s isolation is built on lies. As this truth threatens to spark a riot, Terran and Parisa must decide whether or not to reveal it, risking their city’s collapse.In this gripping sequel, Terran and Parisa navigate power, identity, and truth in a city on the brink of revolution. Can they lead their people through the storm, or will Segeno Fall?* * *CW: Systemic oppression, racism, classism, colorism, religious zealotry, police/military brutality, fascism, character death, moderate violence - think PG-13REP: LGBTQ+ (major and side characters), BIPOC (major and side characters)ROMANCE LEVEL: Slow burn, cozy teen romance (mentions of engagement, kissing, hugging, but no sex or fade to black scenes)

YouTube video by KeshArt

YouTube video by RUSTAGE