Calixta, The Vanquishers of Alhambra, A Grimdark Fantasy

Calixta is the first book in a new series, The Vanquishers of Alhambra, is a real page-turner. Explore this dark new series where good and evil, honor and prejudices are blurred by a stroke of the pen. The poor souls in Alhambra live and die, shrouded under the long hand of their misguided faith and the influence of their trades. The people of the kingdoms are directly responsible for the decisions that affect the delicate balance between the two extremes. Readers of Omayra Vélez’s earlier series, The Assembly of Thirteen, will be familiar with the fairytale style she uses to explore the meaning of life while providing a thoroughly enjoyable romp.

Madame Calixta, owner of the Shining Star Salon, a brothel in the Kingdom of Alhambra was never destined to lead the life of an Exotic prostitute, but evil doings from before her birth forced her path. Since trades are strictly governed and enforced in Alhambra, everyone is given their trade-tattoo, which may be added to, but never changed.

Calixta was resigned to her role, and she made the best of what she had, until the day she tried to save the life of her best friend and died in the attempt. Thus, starts the story when celestial beings intercede and attempt to put her life back on track. After all, she was destined to be one of four Vanquishers whose task is to safeguard those with natural-born magic and redress any imbalances caused by the upsurgence of evil. Can Calixta learn to be a true Vanquisher? Will she survive the demons who chase her? And along her journey, will Calixta learn how to forgive and to love?