In a mystical 15th century Spain at the height of the Inquisition’s power, young Jews Toba and Naftaly must fight for survival. Driven from their home, their only hope for a future is to unravel the mysterious connections they have to the magical world of the immortal Maziks whose fates are tied to their own…
Steeped in myth and magic, The Mirror Realm Cycle is full of fascinating characters and complicated relationships, perfect for fans of Naomi Novik’s Spinning Silver and S. A. Chakraborty’s Daevabad trilogy.
Two worlds bound by a pomegranate gate
Toba Peres can speak but she can’t shout; she can walk but she can’t run; and she can write in five languages… with both hands at the same time.
Naftaly Cresques dreams every night of an orange-eyed stranger; when awake, he sees things that aren’t real; and he carries a book he can never lose and never read.
When the Queen of Sefarad orders all the nation’s Jews to leave or convert, Toba and Naftaly are forced to flee, but an unlucky encounter leaves them both separated from their caravan. Lost in the wilderness, Toba follows an orange-eyed stranger through a mysterious gate in a pomegranate grove, leaving Naftaly behind.
With a single step, Toba enters an ancient world that mirrors her own. There, she finds that her fate—and Naftaly’s—are bound to an ancient conflict threatening to destroy both realms.
Coming soon in paperback
August 2024
Meet the Author
Ariel Kaplan grew up outside Washington, D.C., and spent most of her childhood reading fairy tales and mythology before settling on a deep love for Jewish folklore. She began studying the history of medieval Spain and the Convivencia while working on a Monroe Scholar project at the College of William & Mary, where she graduated with a degree in History and Religious Studies. She is the author of several books for younger readers. The Pomegranate Gate is her first fantasy novel.
Peace in one world always comes at a cost to the other.
Toba and Naftaly’s lives changed forever when Toba discovered the mirrored world of the Maziks beyond the Pomegranate Gate. In their search for answers, they must find their own ways to the wonderous and powerful neighbouring republic of Zayit. A magnificent city overflowing with olives, spices and salt—but not the safe haven they need. The republic has turned its back on fleeing Jewish and Mazik refugees, and is closing its ears to warnings of war.
The tyrannical Mazik King Tarses is building his army to cross the sea to Zayit. With six days until the invasion, Naftaly must convince his beloved Barsilay that the armies of the world will rally around him if he accepts his role as the true heir to the throne. But, afraid and staunchly anti-monarchist, Barsilay resents the fate that’s been thrust upon him.
Toba is forced to travel to Zayit in the company of demons, those who wish her dead and a love who is slowly forgetting her. But arriving in Zayit is the only beginning. Toba knows the key to defeating Tarses lies in finding the lost city of Luz and restoring the balance between worlds.
Unlikely alliances must be forged, impossible myths must be made real, and Luz must be brought back from the depths of the sea.
September 2024
The World of The Mirror Realm
The Mirror Realm Cycle is set in a mystical alternate 15th Century Europe, where gate cities across the world lead to the mysterious realm of the immortal Mazik: a land of dreams and demons that exists alongside our own. Toba and Naftaly’s journey begins in an alternate Spain in the shadow of the inquisition, but their journey will take them far from their home on a quest that will reach across both worlds…
The spectacular map artwork was created by our very own graphic designer, Gemma Sheldrake.
Meet the Cover Artist
The stunning book covers for The Mirror Realm Cycle are by award winning artist, illustrator, and designer Micaela Alcaino.
Micaela “Mic” Alcaino was born in Sydney, Australia to a Chilean father and a German/Argentinian mother, but has lived in London, UK since 2013. She was selected as one of The Bookseller’s Rising Stars of 2021, named Designer of the Year at the British Book Awards 2022, listed in The Bookseller’s 150 most influential people in publishing 2022 and shortlisted for Future Leader of the Year at the FutureBook Conference 2023.
