The Bones of Ruin

The Bones of Ruin by Sarah Raughley is a gripping historical fantasy set in an alternate 1880s London. An African tightrope walker who can’t die gets embroiled in a deadly gladiatorial tournament orchestrated by a secret society. Described as “bloodily spectacular” by Chloe Gong, New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights, this novel is perfect for fans of The Last Magician and The Gilded Wolves.

As an African tightrope dancer in Victorian London, Iris is accustomed to being perceived as strange. She presents an unusual spectacle for leering British audiences eager to glimpse the exotic allure of colonial curiosity. Yet, there is more to Iris than meets the eye—she harbours a secret that transcends the term "strange". She cannot die.

Haunted by her unnatural power and void of any memories from her past, Iris is consumed by the desire to discover her true identity. Her quest becomes more enigmatic upon meeting the enigmatic Adam Temple, a member of the clandestine Enlightenment Committee. Adam appears to possess knowledge about her past and reveals a terrifying truth: the world is on the brink of an apocalypse, and the Committee will decide who survives.

To select a leader for the impending apocalypse, the Enlightenment Committee organises the Tournament of Freaks—a sinister competition featuring fighters with extraordinary abilities. Adam wishes for Iris to be his champion, promising her the one thing she craves most in return: the truth about who she really is.

If Iris desires to unravel her shadowy past, she must engage in combat within the tournament. However, as she progresses through the chilling spectacle, fragments of her memory begin to surface, making her question whether some truths are better left buried.