A loyal warrior in a crisis of faith must fight to regain her place and begin her life again while questioning the events of her past. This gripping science-fantasy novel from a Hugo, Nebula, Sturgeon, and Locus Award-winning debut author is a complex, action-packed exploration of the costs of zealous faith, ceaseless conflicts, and unquestioning obedience. [STARRED REVIEW] "A triumphant debut novel." -Booklist [STARRED REVIEW] "This cathartic adventure will stay with readers long after the final page." -Publishers Weekly Zenya was a teenager when she ran away from home to join the mechanically-modified warrior sect. She was determined to earn mechanized wings and protect the people and city she loved. Under the strict tutelage of a mercurial, charismatic leader, Zenya became Winged Zemolai. But after twenty-six years of service, Zemolai is disillusioned with her role as an enforcer in an increasingly fascist state. After one tragic act of mercy, she is cast out and loses everything she worked for. As Zemolai fights for her life, she begins to understand the true nature of her sect, her leader, and the gods themselves. Samantha Mills is a Hugo, Locus, Sturgeon, and Nebula Award-winning author who has published a dozen short stories since 2018. Her fiction has appeared in Uncanny Magazine, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Strange Horizons, Escape Pod, and others. Mills has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, as well as the Hugo and Astounding Awards. She has a Master's Degree in Information and Library Science, and she is a trained archivist focusing on helping local historical societies and research libraries. Mills lives in Southern California. The Wings Upon Her Back is her debut novel. - Award-winning author's taut science-fantasy debut, with five disparate cutures worshipping five sleeping gods - and one mechanically-augmented woman determined to avenge exploitation by the military sect - National marketing plan to include prepublication endorsements from leading authors, review, media outlets, and general publications; online and print features; author events and book launch, Instagram and blog tour; ARC mailings and giveaways; and social media campaign - National marketing plan to include prepublication endorsements including targeting reviews and interviews to include NPR, the New York Times, Washington Post, New York Review of Science Fiction, Chicago Tribune and the San Francisco Chronicle - Author tour with regional and national author appearances and readings at trade shows and genre conventions to include the World Science Fiction Convention, Comic-Con, and Dragon-Con - Online features to include cover reveal, Instagram/Storygram tour, blog tour, and author and publisher social media campaign - Print and digital ARC distribution via Goodreads, NetGalley, and Edelweiss+ - Planned book giveaways on Goodreads, SF Signal, and other online outlets "An intense, astute, and moving tale of redemption, by turns relentlessly grim and courageously hopeful."-Kate Elliott, author of Servant Mage "A frightening look at the cost of war and unquestioning loyalty against the backdrop of a gorgeous secondary world. Mills perfectly blends real-world horrors with the fantastic in this wonderful novel." -A. C. Wise, author of Wendy, Darling [STARRED REVIEW] "In the city-state of Radezha-a towering metropolis constructed vertically to reach the five slumbering gods in the heavens-discontent is stirring. Devoted to the mecha god, patron of the city's warriors and keeper of the law, Zemolai has spent 26 years rising in the ranks of her sect until she receives the ultimate sign of devotion: mechanized wings attached to ports along her back. One fateful evening, returning home from a brutal, month-long mission patrolling Radezha's borders, Winged Zemolai performs a single act of mercy that r

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