Inked in Gray Press has acquired world English rights to The Sword that Split the Dawn by author Mihika Biswas.
The Sword that Split the Dawn is an adult speculative novel about revenge, truth, and loyalty.
The story follows Anari a princes exiled from her kingdom for unlocking the power of a mysterious key. Anari seeks out a dangerous mage, Mirza Aindri, who vows to make her the crowned queen of her kingdom at a cost. Under her guidance, Anari joins a rebel group with origins in an opposing kingdom that hopes to take down her king’s everlasting dynasty.
After Mirza infiltrates the kingdom’s aristocracy, she realizes her own power resembles that of the sealed-away demigods. This leads the two to oppose each other as secrets and schemes unravel from either side.
Inked in Gray is proud to publish this next release from Mihika Biswas! The Sword that Split the Dawn releases Fall 2027!
In the meantime, we’ve talked with Mihika Biswas about her upcoming release to give readers a behind-the-scenes peek of The Sword that Split the Dawn!
What inspired you to write The Sword that Split the Dawn? Did any special or unusual circumstances or incidents play a role in the conception and/or writing of this book?
The start of the story first came to me in a dream with a magic game of scavenger hunt, and then it evolved into so much more. Having grown up with the Arthurian Legends and many reimaginings of it, I knew I wanted to create another retelling that combined elements of my own culture and the legend of Kali and Shiva. When I was younger, I always wondered why King Arthur was considered the gold standard of heroes when he essentially left his responsibilities in search of the legendary Holy Grail. That’s when I knew I wanted my story to explore the villainous and selfish side of rulers.
Without any spoilers, what was your favorite part of the book to write?
I think my favorite part of the book was crafting the gorgeous settings. Once I realized how freeing Fantasy was as a genre, I kind of went wild with the biomes and regions. My particular favorite setting was Raatnar, a desert city with blue and black sand, hot enough to cast its own illusions.
Were there any major influences for you as a writer?
I was definitely inspired by many of my favorite books, including the Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri and Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao. I just love how both authors weave culture into their worlds with vengeful main characters.
Without any spoilers, is there a character who holds a special place in your heart?
Mirza was one of my favorite characters to write. She represents the unbridled rage of a girl who doesn’t feel like she belongs in the place she is or anywhere. She’s the worst of my darkest thoughts. But I had so much fun writing about a character who was always scheming through the circumstances she was left with.
If your book had a soundtrack or theme song, what would it be?
“Final Boss” and “Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land” by Marina are two songs I think represent Mirza and Anari’s relationship and rivalry, as well as their slightly unstable states of mind.
What is your favorite trope?
Unreliable narrators and Found Family are two of my favorites. I love being held in suspense, so anything that lays on the tension!
What was a memorable moment when you learned that language had power?
I grew up crafting stories with my close friends about dragons, and we’d spend hours in the woods searching for dragons and acting out our stories. I think that made our childhood incredibly rich and memorable. When I started to grow up, I realized I could preserve the stories we’d come up with in books and writing. And since then, I have kept writing to preserve my stories and fantasies that I could share with others.
So what are you reading now? What’s on your TBR List?
I’m currently finishing the Poppy Wars Trilogy by R. F. Kuang and A Language of Dragons by S. F. Williamson. As for my TBR, I have quite a few books, but I think The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith is going to be my next read!
What other works have you published? Where can we find you?
The Sword that Split the Dawn is my first book! But I’m currently working on publishing another novel called the Fall of the Sungrazer, a reimagining of the Titanic set in space. You can find me on Instagram @biswas.mihika.
About Mihika Biswas
Mihika is a writer and an aspiring physician. She is currently finishing her Bachelor’s in Neuroscience with a minor in creative writing at the University of Pennsylvania and hopes to go on to medical school in the future.
She grew up on the East Coast reading all kinds of fantasy and sci-fi as a kid, from Wings of Fire to A Song of Ice and Fire. When not writing, reading, or studying, you can find her working in a research lab studying Parkinson’s Disease, painting, playing on her Switch, or exploring restaurants and cafes in nearby cities.
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