PRYGA, Caz

Curséd Daughters

Gyselle, a sacred courtesan renown for her beauty, grace, and fire and ice abilities in the bedchamber, has never set foot outside the Temple of Aan.

Cyllabrej, only daughter of Gyrrfallom’s Leorr, is the greatest archer in Hyrkkaia. She shapes the air itself to guide her arrows.

Vyrkka has been stripped of her noble title and name and now lives in quiet comfort as an herbalist. However, her long-time affair with heir-apparent Leorryk Markkam casts a dark shadow over her tranquil life. And she is not the only one privy to what she has hidden all these years—a secret that threatens her life and the throne.

Gysse, Cylla and Vyrkka are Manipulae: women and girls who command the elements. Thus far, they have avoided the eagle-eyes of cleric Descryers, who document, track and punish Manipulae. Now, the women’s luck has run out.

Through betrayal by those closest to them, the full weight of the Descryers’ oppression and the horrors of civil war, they will realise that their fates may not be in their own hands. And they discover the potentially limitless nature—and costs—of their powers.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Caz spent her childhood exploring the forests, rivers and glacial valleys of New England. She now calls Canberra home, taking inspiration from the rolling hills, grassy plains and fragrant gumtrees that surround her every day. From the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to the medieval cities of France and the rainforests of New Zealand, the sense memories of her travels weave throughout her work.

The author pays tribute to the women who shaped her as a reader and writer. Her beloved mum made trips to the local library a joyous weekly ritual. Her elementary school librarian kept the shelves stocked with the best and latest books and always had time to chat about what Caz was reading. A middle school Language Arts teacher was the first to tell the author she was ‘a very talented writer’ and encouraged her to ‘keep writing’. In high school, Caz’s English teacher challenged her critical thinking and writing skills,never allowing ‘good enough’ to be enough. Two favourite university professors introduced her to confessional, mystic and medieval women writers. A Sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, professor and later President of the university, opened the author’s eyes to the effects of political, industrial and corporate decision-making on women’s lives, and to feminism and its hard-fought battles. Today, Caz is blessed to call many more vibrant, supportive women her family and friends. She thanks them for loving her flawed, authentic self as a woman and a writer.