Starless

In a world where exiled gods live among the people who worship them, two unlikely heroes find the strength to transcend society's expectations. Khai is chosen at birth to protect Princess Zariya and is trained as a warrior and a thief by the Brotherhood of Pahrkun. But secrets that threaten their identities and world have been kept from Khai and Zariya. Khai is lovably imperfect, making too-quick judgements and getting himself into trouble as he struggles with his identity and the at-times overwhelming task he's been given. When it is discovered that he is bhazim—born a girl but raised a boy—the reactions of those around him vary, from the love and sympathy offered by his brothers to the confusion, ignorance, and even disdain directed at him by members of the royal family. Unlike Khai, Zariya is portrayed as nearly perfect, possibly because Khai is telling the story. With this exploration of identity, master storyteller Carey has created a rag-tag cast of characters who shrug off society's labels, as well as a fantasy world readers will be reluctant to leave.