Nahia

A sweeping epic set in the wild and dangerous world of prehistoric Europe!

Spain, 8,000 years ago. As Headwoman’s daughter, eighteen-year-old Nahia was born to lead. But when she speaks aloud a forbidden truth—that her people are facing a growing threat of invasion—her expectations are shattered when she’s punished with exile and apprenticed to the enigmatic shaman Eneko instead.

With her sister Izara made the new heir and her world upended, Nahia is sent away with a young man she barely knows. Deep in the wilds, however, she uncovers a shocking talent for divining messages from the spirits and channelling their turbulent powers. But these visions come to show her that her people are in terrible danger. . . and they need her. Nahia will have to use every advantage she has to save her beloved people—and her sister.

In this powerful upper YA with crossover appeal, archaeologist Emily Jones transports us to a rugged world of pine forests, frothy beaches, and wild magic, and masterfully depicts passionate first love, looming conquest, green sorcery, the unbreakable bond between sisters, and untamed, unashamed female power. 

Pairing the epic scope of prehistory with a fiery coming-of-age story, Nahia is an amazingly fresh successor to Clan of the Cave Bear. Utterly unique and shockingly good, this is a knockout debut, perfect for fans of Adrienne Young, Chloe Gong, Claire Andrews, Elana K. Arnold, and Rachel Griffin.

"Tremendous. Combines archaeology with masterful storytelling."—Dr. William Taylor, Curator of Archaeology at the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History

"Fresh and engrossing—a delight."—Cindy Pon, award-winning author of Want and Serpentine

Dr. Emily Jones is an expert in the fields of archaeology, anthropology, and historical ecology. She is an archaeology professor at the University of New Mexico as well as the director of the graduate program in archaeology. Prolific in her research publications, Jones' fields of expertise include human-environment interactions, historical biogeography, and human adaptation, all of which she brings to her fiction writing. Her dissertation investigated the European diet at Nahia's time. Her secondary specialization is in Neanderthal lifeways.