When militia captain Ikaros is cursed with wings alongside one of his initiates, secretly a young woman in disguise, they must partner with a giant, magical eagle to find a cure while being hunted by their own culture, which fears the magic of the wilds above all.
On the wild continent of Kaptos, magical megafauna rule. All that stands between the struggling pockets of civilization and the giant beasts of the wilds are stone walls and hardened soldiers. Ikaros, the son of two great leaders, has just been promoted to Captain. Tasked with the militia’s youngest – and most temperamental – recruits, it is his duty to train an elite squad of handlers for his city’s greatest hope: the egg of a throne eagle, captured by Ikaros’ own father.
When the eagles burn the city to reclaim their young, one of Ikaros’ recruits inadvertently destroys the egg. The beasts abduct him along with Ikaros – a child for a child. Though magic is known to be deadly to humans, they survive the eagles’ spell and wake to find themselves cursed with wings. Further, Ikaros discovers the soldier is actually a young woman in disguise, and her secrets could unravel their very culture. The two must break their curse or forever be hunted by a society that fears the magic of beasts above all.
Say It to the Wilds draws inspiration from the Icarus myth and scratches the itch of anyone who has ever wanted wings or a dragon. This adult fantasy has the world-altering magic and revelations of The Hurricane Wars and the intimate, opposites-attract romance of the Powerless trilogy. Beta readers have drawn parallels to the man vs. nature themes of Princess Mononoke. Complete at 99,000 words, it is the first novel of a planned duology.
Comp Titles:
The Hurricane Wars - Thea Guanzon
Reckless - Lauren Roberts
The Stardust Theif - Chelsea Abdullah
Crown of Feathers - Nicki Pau Preto