Maria Z. Medina
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mzmauthor.bsky.social
Maria Z. Medina
@mzmauthor.bsky.social
1.1K followers 420 following 820 posts
You won't live forever, but your words might! MISTRESS OF BONES - Out Now! Repped by Dorian Moffei. She/Her
mariazmedina.com
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61220759-mistress-of-bones
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mzmauthor.bsky.social
She's watching.
Judging.
Might bring you back to life.
Or let you rot in ignominy.
Main female character from MISTRESS OF BONES book shown from the nose up wearing a purple pointed witchy hat
October 6, 2025 at 11:16 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
I have been in drafting cave and now in editing cave and discord cave (which is a very dangerous cave to be in considering I'm supposed to be doing the second item on the list, lol) but here's some photos from friends who spotted MISTRESS OF BONES in the wild! 😍 (have you?! Send me the pics!!!)
MISTRESS OF BONES hardcover on a table at Barnes & Noble surrounded by other fantasy books such as Yuli by S. Jae-Jones, Dream by the Shadows by Logan Karlie, and By Invitation Only by Alexandra Brown Chang among others. MISTRESS OF BONES hardcover on display at a bookstore shelf right next to Vampire Academy, which I've read like 1232131 times, and yes, this coincidence makes me grin like a book gremlin.
September 12, 2025 at 8:56 AM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
Banter? You got it. Weird magic? Heck yeah! Fun worldbuilding? Well, of course. Different kinds of love, romantic and otherwise? Definitely! Two separate, intersecting storylines? Right here, right now. Exploration of souls and greed? Compliments of the house.
mariazmedina.com/books/mistre...
A 3D mockup of MISTRESS OF BONES hardcover with arrows pointing at different things you can find in the book: Multi-pov, bone magic, rapier duels, fickle gods, epic worldbuilding, twists, intrigue, necromancy
August 3, 2025 at 10:02 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
UK edition of MISTRESS OF BONES is here and IT HAS FOIL 😱
July 28, 2025 at 9:21 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
ASDAFAGHDGAJHGDWJAHGD final copies are here!
Open cardboard box full of hardcover editions of Mistress of Bones.
July 20, 2025 at 11:37 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
Thank you so much @publisherswkly.bsky.social for the lovely review of MISTRESS OF BONES!!

"Confident prose, strong characterizations, and imaginative Spanish-tinged mythology blend to deliver a rich and intricately crafted fantasy world."
"Confident prose, strong characterizations, and imaginative Spanish-tinged mythology blend to deliver a rich and intricately crafted fantasy world. Descriptions of powerful characters struggling to navigate the actions of brutal yet self-sacrificing gods further enrich this sprawling series opener.” - Publishers Weekly
July 15, 2025 at 8:34 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
Barnes & Noble is having a pre-order sale this weekend! You can get up to 25% off any pre-orders (hardcover, ebook, audiobook) with the code: PREORDER25
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mistress-o...
Mistress of Bones hardcover and ebook mockups against a light background with a design of outlined roses and a rapier, announcing the Barnes & Noble sale (July 8th-11th) and the promo code: PREORDER25
July 10, 2025 at 12:16 AM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
Thank you so much Booklist for the lovely review!! 😊

"Medina’s high-concept world building permeates the story in fascinating detail... A compelling read, ending with a cliff-hanger sure to draw readers back for the rest of the duology."
- Booklist
MISTRESS OF BONES hardcover image with the following blurb: "Medina’s high-concept world building permeates the story in fascinating detail... A compelling read, ending with a cliff-hanger sure to draw readers back for the rest of the duology." - Booklist
July 3, 2025 at 8:57 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
INDIE BOOKSTORE PARTY TIME!! 🎉🎉🎉
Pre-order any book at the participating bookstores to get 15% off! Code: PARTY2025
(And that includes the awesome pre-order goodies at @mystgalaxybooks.bsky.social !)
Find more info at:
lnk.bio/authors4indi...
MISTRESS OF BONES hardcover with text indicating you can get 15% off with the code PARTY2025 at participating indie bookstores.
June 27, 2025 at 8:28 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
Remember, if you preorder my YA/crossover fantasy debut at Mysterious Galaxy, you'll get this gorgeous art by Jacqueline Brianne, a signed bookplate, and a bookmark!
www.mystgalaxy.com/preorder-cam...
(PS. Book is about necromancers, rapiers, gods, greed, siblings, and love!)
An art print depicting a young woman with brown hair in shirtsleeves and breeches unsheathing a dagger while being suspicious of a tall man with long blonde hair standing menacingly behind her.
June 25, 2025 at 10:42 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
I'm SO EXCITED to announce MISTRESS OF BONES is having a pre-order campaign in collaboration with @mystgalaxybooks.bsky.social ! It includes a gorgeous art print, bookmark (not shown), and a signed bookplate! 🎉
www.mystgalaxy.com/preorder-cam...
An art print of a young woman with brown hair in shirt and breeches holding a dagger glaring at a tall man with blonde hair holding a sword. A bookplate design with roses, bones, and a rapier. The following text: (Receive these) when you pre-order MISTRESS OF BONES at Mysterious Galaxy! www.mystgalaxy.com
May 23, 2025 at 8:26 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
😭
Goodreads synopsis for MISTRESS OF BONES: This debut fantasy from author Maria Z. Medina invites readers to a world of floating continents, absent gods, flashing rapiers, and swashbuckling adventure. Using flashbacks and multiple POVs, Medina tells the story of Azul del Arroyo, a modest young necromancer who just wants to bring her sister back from the dead. Look for lots of atmospheric tragedy and romance, with a love interest who happens to be the Emissary of the Lord Death. Release date: August 5
May 12, 2025 at 10:29 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
I came up with Azul many many years ago, although she had no name and her story was quite different! A lot of that initial Azul has remained--her fierce loyalty, her need for adventure, and her stubbornness. Good luck to anyone who gets in her way because she's getting things done!

Art by Aseriaart
Art of a young woman with long brown hair and olive skin in a loose shirt, blue vest holding a dagger with the heading "Meet Azul"
May 2, 2025 at 10:59 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
You can preorder MISTRESS OF BONES for 25% off (for members - easy to sign up) at Barnes & Noble for the next three days!
Preorders help authors immensely whether you use this opportunity or amble to your closest indie bookstore!! 😊
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mistress-o...
MISTRESS OF BONES cover next to a text indicating the preorder sale 25% off April 23rd-25th using the code PREORDER25 An epic, multi-POV debut fantasy, where a necromancer trying to resurrect her sister gets embroiled in bigger, world-ending plans instead Necromancer Azul del Arroyo only wants one thing: to steal her sister back from Death by reclaiming her sister’s bones. But the Emissary of the Lord Death will do anything to stop her, no matter how alluring he finds her . . . As their paths collide, they’re drawn into a deadly game of pawns and power with a count who begrudgingly works for a child king, a faceless witch who transforms the bones of gods into dreams she can peddle, and a long-lost half-brother with a secret of his own—and soon realize the fate of the lands is hanging in the balance. For long ago the gods raised the continents, binding them with their own bones to keep humanity alive. But in an era when the gods’ sacrifice has been forgotten, Death might not be the only resentful god Azul must defy. Swashbuckling, grand, and tragically romantic, Mistress of Bones is a can't-miss start to a duology about love, loss, and, of course, death.
April 23, 2025 at 10:31 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
Less than four months to go until my YA/crossover fantasy debuts!! 😍
An epic, multi-POV debut fantasy, where a necromancer trying to resurrect her sister gets embroiled in bigger, world-ending plans instead Necromancer Azul del Arroyo only wants one thing: to steal her sister back from Death by reclaiming her sister’s bones. But the Emissary of the Lord Death will do anything to stop her, no matter how alluring he finds her . . . As their paths collide, they’re drawn into a deadly game of pawns and power with a count who begrudgingly works for a child king, a faceless witch who transforms the bones of gods into dreams she can peddle, and a long-lost half-brother with a secret of his own—and soon realize the fate of the lands is hanging in the balance. For long ago the gods raised the continents, binding them with their own bones to keep humanity alive. But in an era when the gods’ sacrifice has been forgotten, Death might not be the only resentful god Azul must defy. Swashbuckling, grand, and tragically romantic, Mistress of Bones is a can't-miss start to a duology about love, loss, and, of course, death.
April 16, 2025 at 1:21 AM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
Banter? You got it. Weird magic? Heck yeah! Fun worldbuilding? Well, of course. Different kinds of love, romantic and otherwise? Definitely! Two separate, intersecting storylines? Right here, right now. Exploration of souls and greed? Compliments of the house.
tinyurl.com/mh73f2u7
MISTRESS OF BONES hardcover mockup with several arrows announcing things to be found in the book: Enemies to sort of allies but they still hate each other to...?, swashbuckling gothic, dead people become alive and alive people become dead, multi PoV, necromancer FMC, midnight talks, rapiers, masks, and banter. Coming August 5th 2025
March 22, 2025 at 12:57 AM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
The neighborhood is getting pretty now! 🌸
A small dark pink cherry blossom tree in bloom.
March 3, 2025 at 10:08 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
Rati is the author of Indian-inspired Fantasy as well as an incredible writer of short stories. Please check out her writing at:

ratiwrites.com
FLOWER AND THORN's book cover (Pink and violet flowers against a lighter pink background) with the caption "One girl. One boy. A promise broken. A magic stolen."
February 27, 2025 at 9:58 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
Thank you SO much @rati.bsky.social for the wonderful, amazing blurb for MISTRESS OF BONES. You're one of the most generous authors I know, and your praise bowled me over. It's one I keep coming back to whenever I have a hard writing day!!
"Mistress of Bones is a richly imagined, high stakes fantasy steeped in intrigue, magic, myth, and necromancy. From the memorable cast to the lush worldbuilding, I couldn't put this book down." - Rati Mehrotra, author of NIGHT OF THE RAVEN, DAWN OF THE DOVE
February 27, 2025 at 9:58 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
I am SO IN LOVE with this amazing illustration of the Emissary of the Lord Death, one of the main characters of MISTRESS OF BONES, done by the wonderful @spookgeist.bsky.social (also on Instagram)!! 😍
A young man with long dark blonde hair and gold-violet eyes wearing a loose short and breeches unsheathing a sword
February 21, 2025 at 9:22 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
If you're on the fence about pre-ordering MISTRESS OF BONES, this is a great opportunity to take the plunge! 💖

Use the code PREORDER25 today and tomorrow to enjoy the sale!

www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mistress-o...
Banner with MISTRESS OF BONES cover indicating at 25% off sale for new releases on preorder.
February 6, 2025 at 9:37 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
There's apparently only 6 months left until MISTRESS OF BONES is out in the world! Get your dose of banter, twists, stabbing, back stabbing, and even some bone throwing!
(There is also necromancy and stuff! 😏)
MISTRESS OF BONES' book cover with "Six Months" written over it.
February 6, 2025 at 12:05 AM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
Me, realizing I alt-tabbed to a Firefox window to check on something but I've now made two bank transfers, replied to 2 emails, giggled at someone's meme and uh... what was I supposed to check in the first place
Gandalf being very confused in Moira
January 9, 2025 at 9:58 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
How far are you willing to go, when you serve the god of death?

“I am Virel Enjul, Emissary of the Lord Death.” He lifted his hands. Big, with long fingers ending in blunt nails blackened at the ends. “My hands are his hands. My reasons, his reasons.”
A dark green background card with golden leaves around the edges with the quote: "My hands are his hands. My reasons, his reasons."
January 7, 2025 at 10:11 PM
mzmauthor.bsky.social
A graphic showcasing four books: Higher Magic by Courtney Floyd October 7 First gen grad student, Dorothe Bartleby, has one last chance to pass her Magic qualifying exams––but her students are disappearing and she might be the only one who can help. The Changeling Queen by Kimberly Bea October 28 In 14th c. Scotland, a half-mortal changeling discovers she is queen of a dying Faery in this feminist reimagining of Tam Lin. The Whisper of Stars by Cristin Williams November 6 An imprisoned anarchist searches for an ancient relic to overthrow the Bolshevik regime. The Sacred Space Between by Kalie Reid November 20 A devout iconographer must paint an exiled saint in this sumptuous gothic romantasy full of slow-burn tension and windswept moors
January 3, 2025 at 2:28 AM