The Battle Drum by Saara El-Arifi (Paperback)

The empire is shifting, and power no longer feels secure. Anoor now rules as the first blue-blooded leader of the Wardens’ Empire, a change that should mark progress. Instead, her reign is shaken when she is accused of murder. With trust fading and enemies closing in, she must uncover the truth alone and protect both her crown and her life.

Far from the empire, Sylah searches for answers to a growing threat that could destroy everything she cares about. Her journey leads her into unfamiliar lands and forces her to confront difficult choices. To save her home, she may have to leave behind the life she once fought to reclaim.

In the city, Hassa continues to move through the shadows. Her search for the truth uncovers crimes that run deeper than she imagined, exposing the full scale of the empire’s past and present brutality. The more she learns, the more dangerous her position becomes.

As each woman follows her own path, their choices begin to shape the future of the empire. The Battle Drum builds tension, leading toward conflict where change comes at a cost.