Buried Deep and Other Stories By Naomi Novik

Naomi Novik’s newest collection, Wrestling with Destiny, offers readers a captivating journey through thirteen short stories that span her rich and varied literary universes. This thrilling anthology takes fans from the dragon-filled skies of her Temeraire series to the darkly magical world of the Scholomance trilogy, and beyond into fresh, new realms.

In these stories, Novik’s signature blend of fairy tales, myth, fantasy, history, and even science fiction shines. Readers will be enchanted by tales like that of a mushroom witch in the perilous halls of the Scholomance, where sometimes the worst danger comes from your roommate. In ancient Rome, witness the origins of the Dragon Corps as Mark Antony bonds with a newly hatched dragon, changing the course of history. A young bride in the Middle Ages faces Death itself in a high-stakes gamble, while Elizabeth Bennet is reimagined as the fierce captain of a Longwing dragon in a delightful Pride and Prejudice retelling.

The collection also offers a tantalizing first look at Abandon, the setting of Novik’s upcoming epic fantasy series, where a mysterious deserted continent hides secrets in its silent and enigmatic architecture.

Though these stories vary widely in time, place, and genre, a common theme runs through them: the struggle with destiny. Novik explores the lengths her characters will go to forge their own paths, defy fate, and claim their futures. Fans of Novik’s previous works will revel in these tales, and newcomers will be enthralled by her magical worlds and powerful storytelling.