The King's Debt

by Samaa Ayman

Rawan returns from a stint in Tunisia days before the bloodied corpse of her sister, Samra, is found in the desert. With Samra and Saleem's impending wedding plummeting into a tragic twist, Rawan vows to avenge her sister's untimely death with Saleem's assistance. Set by the shores of the Egyptian Red Sea, Samaa Ayman's gripping first novel explores, in luminous prose, the affected piety and false virtue underneath the fabric of a rigid, conservative society, and forces us to question the darkest crevices of our very own nature.

276 pages, Paperback

Published March 24, 2020

Reviews

[Hoda UmmSamaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

You gotta love a story with a twist. Surprising and unexpected events. The conversations between the lead characters always leave just enough vagueness. I did get lost for a bit somewhere towards the end of the book but it was quite an adventure finding my way back.
Looking forward to the next book

[William Melaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samaa Ayman's first novel, The King's Debt, is a bracing story that begins with a murder but unfolds in a way that does not easily confirm what seems to be obvious. This remarkable tour de force casts light on the dark motives of characters and offers a convincing image of a world gone awry. The quick-paced events that shape this engaging tale pose the question of human responsibility--and also invite us to rethink what it means.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very captivating read! The intricate plot, and well-developed characters made for an interesting and gripping read. A beautifully descriptive writing style which balances tension and emotion throughout the story.