The Girl with the Fierce Eyes Sophia Vahdati 9780008732165

Red Queen meets Divergent in this fast-paced YA fantasy romance debut-packed with love triangles, betrayal, and a heroine who must risk everything to survive.

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Jantsia's secret will kill her...

In the Empire of Shariza, eye colour determines wealth, status and even access to magical powers. Jantsia's blue eyes mark her as Azure, the lowest of the four oculary castes. Destined for servitude.

But no one - not even the boy who owns her heart - knows the truth. Jantsia is a dual-oc, a forbidden mix of two castes, condemned to death if discovered. To survive, she clings to one rule: stay invisible, stay alive.

Or will the truth save them all?

Yet whispers of rebellion are growing, and cracks are forming in the very foundations of their society. Could it be that the fiery untapped power burning inside Jantsia is a gift rather than a curse?

But who to trust when different means death?

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'Explosive world-building, gripping characters, and razor-sharp stakes - this dystopian gem is an unforgettable blend of tension and heart' Morgan Shamy, best-selling author of The Stricken

'Brilliantly imagined and full of life, [...] a wonderful read.' Helen Glynn Jones, author of The Last Raven

'An emotional story about belonging, rebellion, and identity contrasted by deception, secrets, and lies.' K. N. Milde, author of Those Who Survive

'Wow wow wow, this book was INCREDIBLE. I already know this is going to be one of my top reads of the year and it's only June.'

'Wow. The ending. That did surprise me. I do hope there is more to come.'

'The magic and caste system was fantastic. The idea that your place in the hierarchy is dependent on your eye colour and corresponding power was so well done.'

'Immersive, empowering, and insightful.'

'This was a really well built world with hover bikes, a criminal underworld and a rebellion. The perfect introduction to the dystopian genre for teens and a great fun read for everyone else.'

'This debut YA romantasy was well written and and the romance was sweet.'

'This is a great YA book, packed with action, wholesome youngsters and a very distinct magic system.'

'Sophia Vahdati did an amazing job creating a world that has magic, political intrigue and betrayal. I loved this book and can't wait for book 2!!'

Sophia Vahdati writes stories for those still searching for the magic hidden inside them. She holds a First-Class degree in Modern and Medieval Languages from the University of Cambridge and a Master's in International Journalism from Cardiff University.

After travelling the world to escape the sleepy Somerset town where she grew up, she somehow ended up right back where she started-only to realise it had been home all along. When she's not writing, she's wrangling one of her mischievous cats, pestering her husband to help her solve plot holes, or crying at Disney movies.

Her debut novel, The Girl with the Fierce Eyes, is out in July 2025.

Follow her for book updates, behind-the-scenes content, and a healthy dose of cat chaos: https://linktr.ee/sophiavahdati

PRAISE FOR SOPHIA VAHDATI:

'The Girl with the Fierce Eyes is a beautifully written tale of coming of age in a society where your fate has already been decided. What really sets this book apart is how it manages to be both an excellent surface-level story and have a pertinent (and damning) message. Many books achieve one or the other, but it is a very delicate balance to achieve both.' Alethea Lyons, author of The Seer of York series

'A gripping story of a girl's fight to discover and unpeel the layers of her identity, in a world where her very existence is a crime. Vahdati expertly weaves this tale of duty and loyalty, asking the ever-pertinent questions about the true nature of power.' Gabriela Houston, author of The Bone Roots

'Brilliantly imagined and full of life, The Girl With The Fierce Eyes explores a world where eye colour defines status, but not spirit. A wonderful read.' Helen Glynn Jones, author of The Last Raven

'An emotional story about belonging, rebellion, and identity contrasted by deception, secrets, and lies. I enjoyed getting to dive into the diverse and conflicting narratives of Jantsia, Daezen and Soba, seeing all the ways they were different and yet so similar. Each one gives a reflection of the complexities that come with family, friendship and love in the face of class, oppression, and self-rejection.' K. N. Milde, author of Those Who Survive