Author: Anna Bushi

Blood, Blades, and Muted Gold

I am absolutely delighted to finally reveal the cover of my upcoming novel, Curse of the River, the second installment in the Prophesied Prince trilogy.

This cover has quickly become one of my favorites. To keep the visual thread tied to the first book, Child of the River, I have returned to the imagery of the crown of Kashgar. However, as the story evolves, so does the symbol of its power.

What to Look For:

  • A Muted Legacy: While the first cover featured a crown surrounded by cascading water, this crown is a much muted gold.
  • Darker Omens: You’ll notice something dark dripping from the crown—a nod to the fact that this sequel is a significantly darker journey than the first.
  • New Symbols: Instead of the swan, we have introduced a winged horse. This rakshasa (demon or monster) and other mythical ones play a pivotal role in the story, and I can’t wait for you to encounter them.
  • The Blades: In the center, you’ll see two blades crossing. They hold significance to the difficult path Prince Atul and Sugandha must walk together.

This cover perfectly captures the heart of this book and the growing danger lurking in the lands of Kashgar. Let me know in the comments what you think about this cover.

Limited-Time Collections

One of the greatest joys of being part of the author community is coming together to share our worlds with you. I’ve joined forces with several other writers to group our stories into themed collections, making it easy for you to find your next great read.

Since many of you are following along as I prepare for the launch of Curse of the River in April 2026, these collections are a perfect way to catch up on my previous works at a great value.

✨ Sci-Fi & Fantasy in Kindle Unlimited Child of the River (Book One of the Prophesied Prince Trilogy) is currently featured in this massive collection of otherworldly tales. If you are a Kindle Unlimited subscriber, you can dive into the world of Kashgar right now!

  • Act Fast: This promotion ends March 16, 2026.

📜 Historical Fiction: Kindle Unlimited February Edition If you want the full epic experience, the entire Land of Magadha trilogy ebook boxset is featured here. Follow the Malla siblings, Princess Meera and Prince Jay, through three decades of royal secrets and shattered hearts.

  • Act Fast: This promotion ends March 6, 2026.

🥀 Historical & Literary Fiction Lovers For those who appreciate the lyrical side of historical storytelling, the Land of Magadha ebook boxset is also part of this specially curated group. It is the perfect companion for readers who love exploring the human heart in conflict within medieval India.

  • Act Fast: This promotion ends February 28, 2026.

First draft done

Eighty-three thousand words in, the story finally learned how to stand on its own—and then promptly broke my heart.

This book has been living in my head for a long time, but writing it still surprised me. One of the unexpected joys was returning to familiar ground. A few characters with ties to The Land of Magadha slipped into this story, and weaving those threads back to my very first series felt deeply satisfying. It reminded me that these worlds are still alive—that time has passed, but nothing is ever truly left behind.

At the center of Curse of the River are two protagonists thrown together whether they like it or not. They spend a lot of time irritating each other, challenging each other, and—very reluctantly—learning from one another. Writing their interactions became one of my favorite parts of the book. Their conversations are sharp, sometimes petty, often restrained, and always revealing. They don’t grow through grand declarations, but through friction.

Rakshasas—shape-shifting demons from Hindu mythology—make several appearances, and they are anything but gentle. Their presence pulls the story into darker territory, putting our protagonists in real, mortal danger. They’re clever, cruel, and deeply unsettling, and I loved letting them haunt the edges of the narrative.

But the heart of this book belongs to Sugandha.

As she begins to understand where she comes from—and what that truth costs—the story itself changed shape. Some answers can’t be uncovered without loss, and some truths leave scars. Walking Sugandha toward that realization was both exhilarating and devastating.

And then there’s the ending.

I won’t say much, except this: writing it broke my heart into many pieces. It felt inevitable and earned—and still cruel. The kind of ending that stays with you long after the final line.

As I move into revisions, I’m holding tightly to what made this draft special: the echoes of older worlds, the sharp companionship at its center, the danger hiding behind every transformation, and the emotional price of truth.

More soon. For now, I’m letting the river run where it will.

January Kindle Unlimited Collections

If you’re reading along on Kindle Unlimited this month, a few of my books are part of special January collections—all available to borrow in KU.

Heir to Malla is included in this collection, which highlights first-in-series reads. If you enjoy immersive historical worlds, political intrigue, and slow-burning emotional stakes, this is a great place to begin the Land of Magadha trilogy.

Both King in Hiding and Broken King are featured in this romance-focused KU collection. You’ll find a wide range of love stories here—from quiet, character-driven journeys to emotionally charged royal romances.

This Kindle Unlimited collection celebrates fresh starts and second chances, and it includes King in Hiding and Broken King. If you’re in the mood for stories about renewal, healing, and unexpected love, this collection is worth browsing.

For fans of Circe and Elektra, a powerful retelling about the woman behind one of the greatest Greek myths. An entertaining young adult/mythology/epic novel available in KU.

If you have Kindle Unlimited, feel free to explore these collections and borrow whichever story catches your fancy. It’s a wonderful way to discover new authors—and perhaps revisit a familiar world.

📚 My Top Five Books of 2025

Choosing favorites is always hard, but these five books refused to let go of me. I kept thinking about them long after I turned the last page—pausing to reread passages, sitting quietly with my thoughts, and feeling everything. These are the books that stayed.

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

I devoured this one in three days—sneaking pages in with my morning coffee and choosing it over television at night. There are no dragons here, no epic quests or looming catastrophes. Instead, Towles gives us exquisite prose, beautifully drawn characters, and a New York City that feels alive on the page. It’s elegant, immersive, and quietly unforgettable.

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

I first read David Copperfield as a child, and Dickens has always had a permanent place on my shelves (A Tale of Two Cities still holds my heart). So I expected Kingsolver’s reimagining to be powerful—but I wasn’t prepared for how much it would ache. Chapter after chapter squeezed my heart. When you start worrying about a fictional character as if they were real, you know the author has done something extraordinary.

The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans

This was my first time reading Danielle Evans, and it absolutely won’t be my last. These stories are sharp, unsettling, and astonishingly precise. Each one gently pulls the rug out from under you—questioning history, memory, and the assumptions we don’t even realize we’re carrying. More than once, I just sat there afterward, breathless. Read these slowly. Let them sit with you.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

I finally picked up my signed copy—one I bought from my local bookstore, Mysterious Galaxy, during the pandemic—and I’m so glad I did. This is a fierce, heart-pounding start to a series, rooted in real-world mythologies and brought vividly to life. The magic is rich, the stakes are high, and the emotional core hits exactly where it should. 

The Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu

I finished Speaking Bones, the final book in the series, and honestly—wow. How does one mind imagine a world this vast, filled with so many deeply human characters? Ken Liu brings four books’ worth of intricate plotting to a powerful, satisfying close, even weaving one of the gods back into the story. This is epic fantasy in the truest sense, and it’s absolutely worth the journey.

🌸 Honorable Mentions

  • The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang — Warm, heartfelt, and beautifully written. Stella and Michael lived up to all my hopes.
  • Never Meant to Stay by Trisha Das — A modern Indian romance that left me smiling. I’ll definitely be reading more from her.
  • Conclave by Robert Harris — I watched the movie first (I know, I broke my own rule), but the book still surprised me. A gripping look at papal elections, full of intrigue and a sharp twist.
  • The Worldly Philosophers by Robert L. Heilbroner — Thoughtful and illuminating. A reminder that the people who shaped economic thought were deeply human—flawed, curious, and fascinating.

If there’s one thing this list reminds me of, it’s how generous reading can be—from quiet literary novels to sweeping fantasy, from romance to philosophy. These books shaped my year, and I’m grateful for every one of them.

Tell me—what were your favorite reads of 2025?

My first review of 2026

First off, hats off to the beautiful artwork that accompanies this book—the dragon illustrations are absolutely stunning. This is a very different kind of fantasy from what I usually read. Set in a Victorian-era–inspired world, the story unfolds as the memoir of our protagonist, Isabella, written when she looks back on her life beginning at nineteen.

The author paints a clear and vivid picture of Isabella: a young woman deeply passionate about science, and dragons in particular. One of my favorite scenes is a quiet, heartwarming moment with her father, who recognizes her love for learning. In a world where she is unlikely to be allowed to pursue her passions, he gives her a list of potential suitors who at least own the books she loves—so she can keep reading. It’s such a tender, realistic gesture, told entirely in the voice of a scientist, and it made me smile.

“A husband willing to fund a library for his bookish wife is not so easy to obtain; most would see it as a pointless expense. You might, however, find one willing to share his library.”

Isabella’s meeting with her future husband and their courtship are described with the same analytical restraint—observed, measured, and yet surprisingly moving. The author somehow manages to keep everything fully in character while still warming the reader’s heart. Isabella’s first expedition with her husband forms the backbone of the novel, chronicling their study of dragons, complete with a touch of mystery and a wonderful cast of side characters, each with distinct personalities.

“The dragon within my heart stirred, shifting her wings, as if remembering they could be used to fly.”

My only reservation is the ending, which didn’t quite deliver the same emotional punch as some of the earlier moments. That said, this is a wonderful premise, thoughtfully executed. This kind of fantasy won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you enjoy historical fiction with a speculative twist, this is well worth picking up.

A Fitting Farewell to the Witcher Series

I wondered how the author would conclude this fantasy series with so many characters, plots, and subplots, and I was pleasantly surprised by the ending. In the previous book, we left Ciri in a different world with the elves, who knew of the prophecy and her supposed role in it. In this book, Ciri is trying to return to Geralt and Yennefer, who are each fighting their own battles.

The Battle of Brenna is one of the highlights of the novel. Told through multiple points of view—especially from the perspective of the field hospital staff struggling to save lives—it is written with remarkable skill and emotional impact. Another clever narrative choice is the way the author lets us glimpse the future, where the present story has already turned into legend, and then allows those future characters to influence events in the present.

The ending is open to interpretation, and I can see how some readers might be unhappy with it—particularly with how Emperor Emhyr’s quest concludes, what becomes of Geralt and Yennefer, and where Ciri ultimately ends up. For me, though, this was a satisfying, if unorthodox, conclusion to the series.

This is a series that will truly benefit from a reread; there are so many Easter eggs and layered details that are easy to miss the first time around. I am not sure when I would have the time or energy to re-read the series. Happy reading.

“I’m alive, she thought. So it’s not the end of the fight. The fight only end with death, everything else is just an interruption”

“Any dream that we dream for too long becomes a nightmare. And from it we awake with a scream.”

Few Treats for Your TBR

December is always a generous month in the book world, and this year my books are part of several wonderful group promotions run by fellow authors. If you’re looking to stock up your winter reading pile—especially if you have Kindle Unlimited—this is a great time to do it.

If romance is your comfort read, King in Hiding and other romance novels are part of a KU Romance Sprint running through January 9, 2026. These are perfect “just one more chapter” reads for cozy evenings, and an excellent excuse to make the most of your KU subscription.

Fantasy readers, I haven’t forgotten you. Child of the River is included in Fantasy Adventures on Kindle Unlimited, which runs through January 8, 2026. If you love immersive worlds, magic, and long journeys, this is a treasure trove of KU reads waiting to be discovered.

And if the word free makes your reader heart beat faster: Prince in Shadow is part of Fantastic FREE Fantasy – December, available through December 31, 2025. Consider this my small holiday gift to you. 

While you’re browsing, I also want to highlight a KU fantasy:
Shattered Kingdom: Episode One of the Nobledark Fantasy Serial by Jon Cronshaw.

Three sisters. One murdered king. A kingdom on the brink.

With savage wyverns, decaying magic, and a conspiracy centuries in the making, this nobledark fantasy is rich with betrayal, sisterhood, and sacrifice. 

If you love Robin Hobb, Katherine Addison, or Samantha Shannon, this is one to add to your list before the kingdom burns.

December is the season of stories—old favorites, new discoveries, and worlds waiting to be explored. I hope you find something here that keeps you warm through the longest nights of the year. 📖✨

Reading Goals for 2026

As the year winds down, I’ve been taking stock of my reading goals—because of course I have. My goal for 2025 was to read 25 books. As of now, I’m at 23, and currently reading two books at once: Abundance (non-fiction) and Lady of the Lake, the final book in The Witcher series. Surely reading hefty fantasy tomes should count as at least two books each, right? I remain cautiously optimistic that I’ll limp across the finish line at 25 before the year ends.

In January, I’ll share my favorite reads of 2025, but for now I’m already thinking ahead. My reading goal for 2026 is—boldly, bravely—the same: 25 books. Mostly fiction, a sprinkling of non-fiction, a mix of new releases and classics I’ve somehow missed. The challenge, of course, is that as I write Book Three of my fantasy series, I’ll also be reading other fantasy novels… many of them comfortably over 100,000 words. Epic quests are wonderful. They are not fast.

Wish me luck. And tell me—what are your reading goals for 2026?