BLACK SALT QUEEN

June 2025, Bindery Books

There can be no victory without betrayal.

Hara Duja Gatdula, queen of the island nation of Maynara, holds the divine power to move the earth. But her strength is failing and the line of succession gives her little comfort. Her heir, Laya, is a danger—a petty and passionate princess who wields the enormous power of the skies with fickle indifference. Circling the throne is Imeria Kulaw—the matriarch of a traitorous rival family who wields recklessly enhanced powers of her own—with designs to secure a high-ranking position for her son and claim the crown for her family.

Each woman has a secret weakness—a lover, a heartbreak, a lie. But each is willing to pay the steepest price to bring down her rivals once and for all.

Filled with passion, romance, betrayal, and divine magic, Black Salt Queen journeys to a gorgeous precolonial island nation where women—and secrets—reign.

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Praise for BLACK SALT QUEEN

  • "Richly immersive with political intrigue as sharp as a blade, Black Salt Queen is a triumph of a debut".

    Maddie Martinez, author of THE MAIDEN AND HER MONSTER (Tor, 2025)

  • "Complex matriarchs in a vivid setting. A marvelous addition to the growing multitude of voices in Filipino fantasy fiction."

    K.S. Villoso, author of THE WOLF OF OREN-YARO

  • "If you want intrigue, passionate romance, and a delicious dose of yearning, Black Salt Queen is a must read."

    Gabriella Buba, author of SAINTS OF STORM AND SORROW and DAUGHTERS OF FLOOD AND FURY

FAQ

Answers to your burning questions about BLACK SALT QUEEN.

  • Yes, Black Salt Queen is an Asian-inspired fantasy. I’m a Filipino who grew up in the diaspora. In many ways, this book was how I wrote my way back to my roots. The world of Black Salt Queen was inspired by the history, culture, and myths of precolonial Philippines, along with other Southeast Asian influences.

  • Yes! Romance features heavily in the plot of Black Salt Queen. It’s a romantic fantasy (or Romantasy, if you will). Expect sexual tension and a few love scenes (I’d rate🌶️🌶️🌶️ on the spice scale). Plus a ton of yearning.

  • Yes! Most notably, two of the main POV characters are bi women.