You Just Have to Ask Me

How far would you go to obtain your heart’s desire? A jilted bride finds her darkest impulses incarnated in this haunting, unforgettable debut.

When Hana’s groom abandons her at the altar for his ex-girlfriend, Poppy, Hana cannot bear the humiliation. Fleeing alone into the unfamiliar Australian outback where she was meant to spend her honeymoon, a familiar voice calls out to her, offering a soft shoulder to cry on and a tantalizing promise of revenge.

Poppy, meanwhile, got everything she wanted. She won the man she loves back, undoing the breakup she always regretted. So what if she had to lie? He chose her. If only she could forget the look on his bride’s face. The guilt haunts her, and as her life unravels, Poppy can’t shake the sense that she’s being punished—almost like something else is haunting her, too. 

Entwined in their grief, shame, and desire, the two women struggle to reclaim what they once called theirs. But they’ve both made their choices, and as their futures look increasingly damned, it becomes clear: Revenge always comes with a price.

• “Elsbai has written a very compelling novella, instantly captivating. You have no choice but to read it in one sitting, so delicious and gothic is the premise!”
  Yah Yah Scholfield, author of On Sundays She Picked Flowers
• PRAISE FOR THE DAUGHTERS OF IZDIHAR:
  
  “Recommended for fans of unique settings and feminist fantasy, like The City of Brass, by S. A. Chakraborty, A Master of Djinn, by P. Djeli Clark, or The Power, by Naomi Alderman.”
  Booklist
• “A wondrously rich fantasy that highlights the true struggle to revolutionize a society. You will cheer and mourn alongside Nehal and Giorgina as they dare to discover new magic, fight for a more just society, and find love in unexpected places. A debut not to be missed!”
  Shannon Chakraborty, bestselling author of The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
• “Action-packed, magic-filled, and led by two fierce, vividly-rendered women, The Daughters of Izdihar is a compelling and empowering debut.”
  Ava Reid, bestselling author of Juniper & Thorn
• “An absolutely enthralling tale of two women striving for a better world. Filled with magic and politics, The Daughters of Izdihar grips you and doesn’t let go. I couldn’t put it down!”
  Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of The Queens of Renthia series
• PRAISE FOR THE WEAVERS OF ALAMAXA:
  
  “With a focus on women, magic, and political schemes, this novel is cleareyed regarding social issues, timely, and above all, an engrossing fantasy. Sympathetic yet flawed characters set against a complex society on the edge of change bring this novel to vibrant life.”
  Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
• “This debut fantasy is an impressive feminist feat, with immersive world building, fascinating, complex characters, and a plot that hooked me from start to finish."
  Buzzfeed
• "Elsbai deftly combines battle scenes and political machinations, leading to a compelling conclusion. A must-read for fans of fantasy authors like S. A. Chakraborty, Renée Ahdieh, and L. Penelope."
  Booklist