Nerine Dorman’s dark academia fantasy, THE COMPANY OF BIRDS, to be published in southern Africa by Mirari Press
Mirari Press is thrilled to announce the upcoming publication of The Company of Birds, a gripping dark academia fantasy novel written by award-winning author Nerine Dorman. Known for her intricate storytelling and compelling narratives, Dorman promises to enchant readers with its blend of mystery, magic, and moral dilemma.
"Nerine’s ability to weave together intricate plots and complex characters shines brilliantly in The Company of Birds," said Marius du Plessis, CEO and Publisher of Mirari Press. "This novel is a testament to her storytelling prowess and her talent for crafting immersive worlds that resonate with readers. Nerine has been a leading voice in the South African SFF community for many years; it’s a personal triumph to me that she has signed up with Mirari for this book."
Set against the backdrop of a city-state in turmoil, The Company of Birds follows Maga Liese ten Haven, a newly divorced scholar grappling with personal upheaval. When the enigmatic Atroyan tribesman Malagai reveals that Liese is the heir to a forbidden magical legacy, she is thrust into a dangerous conspiracy that threatens to ignite civil war. As tensions escalate outside the protective walls of the academy where magi study in isolation, Liese faces a stark choice: embrace her newfound power to confront injustice or risk being consumed by it.
"Sometimes a hero must burn all she holds dear," Dorman writes, encapsulating the central conflict of Liese's journey. Her quest for justice intertwines with the fate of nations, challenging readers to contemplate the sacrifices necessary for redemption.
The Company of Birds will be available in paperback and ebook formats in February 2025. A limited-edition hardcover will be published under the ARCANA EDITIONS imprint.
Nerine Dorman is a South African author and editor of science fiction and fantasy. Her novel Sing down the Stars won Gold for the Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature in 2019 and The Percy Fitzpatrick Award for Children's and Youth Literature in 2021. Her YA fantasy novella, Dragon Forged, was a finalist in the Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature in 2017, and she is the curator of the South African Horrorfest Bloody Parchment event and short story competition. Her short story “On the Other Side of the Sea” (Omenana, 2017) was shortlisted for a 2018 Nommo award. Her novella The Firebird won a Nommo for “Best Novella” in 2019. In addition, she is a founding member of the SFF authors’ co-operative Skolion and is an active member of the Africa Speculative Fiction Society.
The deal was negotiated by Bieke van Aggelen of The African Literary Agency.
For more information, email bieke@africanliteraryagency.com.
The Company of Birds was originally published in the UK by Immanion Press.
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