Guest post written by His Face Is The Sun author Michelle Jabès Corpora
Michelle Jabès Corpora is the author of the Holly Horror series for young adults, which includes Holly Horror (Penguin Workshop, 2023) and The Longest Night (2024). As a Senior Commissioning Editor at Working Partners, Ltd., Michelle has been creating successful concepts for series fiction for more than twelve years, including books that have sold in more than 20 languages. Find out more about Michelle at michellejcorpora.com.
About His Face Is The Sun (out May 6th 2025): A new reign is coming…Romance, magic, adventure, and horror collide in the start to this lush, epic, Ancient Egyptian inspired trilogy perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Sarah J. Maas.
Growing up, nothing fascinated me more than mythology. Who doesn’t love reading about creation stories, gods, monsters, and the heroes that face them? For me, Ancient Egyptian mythology was the most captivating, and led me all these years later to create the first book in my Throne of Khetara trilogy, His Face Is the Sun, which launches on May 6. In it, we follow four different characters in an Ancient Egyptian-inspired fantasy world: a princess, a priestess, a rebel, and a tomb robber, as they are ripped from their lives and intertwined in a tale of magic, murder, war, and monsters by an ancient, forgotten oracle. If you like Game of Thrones, The Mummy, and The Kane Chronicles—then this one is for you!
While Ancient Egypt has always been my favorite mythology to read about and study, there are so many absolutely incredible mythologies to enjoy from all around the globe—and so many captivating books out there that explore those stories. Be sure to add these fabulous entries to your TBR!
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
This lush and magical adventure sweeps readers away to the world of 18th century Cairo, where we follow a powerful con woman who summons a djinn warrior. An immersive series that includes mythical creatures and a magic system based on Middle Eastern mythology. Definitely a must-read!
Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Inspired by Mexican folklore, this is a gorgeous fairy tale is set in 1920s Mexico. In it, a young woman unwittingly releases the Mayan god of death, who asks for her help on a divine mission that takes her across jungles, cities, and all the way to the underworld!
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
Full of music, magic, and many twists and turns, this is a story about a powerful heroine faced with an impossible task: win a place on the Crown Prince’s council, then after she’s gained his trust—kill him. A wildly original Young Adult duology inspired by West African myth and legend.
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
A captive princess and a maidservant-turned-priestess find their destinies entangled in this enchanting, action-packed trilogy inspired by the epics of India. There’s forbidden magic, quests for revenge, steamy romance—I mean, what more does one need?
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
In this beautiful Young Adult retelling of a Korean folktale, a girl sacrifices herself to the Sea God to save her brother’s beloved. But instead of drowning in the sea, she is swept away to a magical realm filled with gods and beasts and spirits of all kinds. If you liked Spirited Away, you’ll love this!
So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole
In this Jamaican-inspired Young Adult duology, two sisters with an unbreakable bond uncover long-buried secrets about their world and the empire that once ruled over it. Gods-given powers, political intrigue, and—oh yes!—dragons make this series about loyalty and leadership unmissable.
