Cover Reveal: Riyati Rivals
Riyati Rivals is book two in the Riyati series by Kai Zeal.
It’s a real privilege to be able to share this cover reveal on the blog and spotlight a fellow indie author.
Riyati Rivals is the second book of a new adult/adult contemporary, low dark fantasy series that seeks to explore themes of identity, legacy, the greater good, and finding your own path in life. The Riyati series includes multiple first person perspectives and multiple queer characters (currently including demisexual/romantic and lesbian representation with more to come in future books), set in the modern day United States.
Cover Reveal & Blurb
Tropes present in Riyati Rivals
Multiple PoV's
Conlang & intricate magic system
Magical girl (and boy) deconstruction
Reincarnations
Elemental magic users
Slow burn
Flawed & morally grey characters
Multiple queer characters
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
Representation: demisexual, lesbian, neurodivergence, sensory sensitivities
Length: ~75,000 words (~300 pages)
What would you sacrifice to alter an already guaranteed future?
The new school year has begun in the quiet town of Opal Pines, and with it, new problems for Kylie and Jordan: Kylie’s mother barely lets her out of sight, and Jordan’s new friend makes it clear he’s no fan of Kylie. Even their older selves are at odds with each other: Siani refuses to intervene in the events to come; meanwhile, Rotanu is not sure the ends justify the means needed to get there. To make matters even worse, a familiar woman from the June kidnapping is back and wants Kylie’s head. What happens when the past is painful and still seeks vengeance, the present is lonely, and the future uncertain?
Please note that there are potentially triggering subjects discussed during this novel, including: abandonment, alcoholism, attempted suicide, blood, bullying, child abuse, classism, confinement, death, emotional abuse, emotional manipulation, extreme violence, gore, homelessness, human experimentation, kidnapping, misogyny, murder, parental neglect, physical abuse, poverty, self-harm, stalking, strong adult language, substance abuse, suicide, suicidal ideation, torture, toxic friendship, and trauma-based responses.
Release Date: May 15, 2025
About the Author
Kai Zeal got her start writing fanfiction as a child, creating an awareness of tropes, characterization, and the importance of retellings. From there, she refined her analytical skills both in academia and through fandom with critical analysis of media to gain a better understanding of how the parts of a work come together to form its whole.
She has degrees in psychology, writing, higher education administration, and is pursuing a PhD with a research focus on critical disability studies through a queer, feminist lens. In her free time, she’s a lifelong gamer, particularly of JRPGs, many of which have shaped her storytelling strategies and love of media.
If you’d like to know more, check out her website, kai-zeal.com, subscribe to her monthly newsletter, or follow her on BlueSky: @kaizeal.aquakatpublishing.com
