Saints of Storm and Sorrow - The Stormbringer Saga by Gabriella Buba Paperback

About the Book

"In this an Filipino-inspired epic fantasy, a nun concealing a goddess-given gift is unwillingly transformed into a lightning rod for her people's struggle against colonization. For fans of R.F. Kuang, Tasha Suri, and The Hurricane War . Maria Lunurin has been living a double life for as long as she can remember. To the world, she is Sister Maria, dutiful nun and devoted servant of Aynila's Codician colonizers. But behind closed doors, she is a stormcaller, chosen daughter of the Aynilan goddess Anitun Tabu. In hiding not only from the Codicians and their witch hunts, but also from the vengeful eye of her slighted goddess, Lunurin does what she can to protect her fellow Aynilans and the small family she has created in the her lover Catalina, and Cat's younger sister Inez. Lunurin is determined to keep her head down - until one day she makes a devastating discovery, which threatens to tear her family apart. In desperation, she turns for help to Alon Dakila, heir to Aynila's most powerful family and a gods-blessed healer who has been ardently in love with Lunurin for years. But this choice sets in motion a chain of events beyond her control, awakening Anitun Tabu's rage and putting everyone Lunurin loves in terrible danger. Torn between the call of Alon's magic and Catalina's jealousy, her duty to her family and to her people, Lunurin can no longer keep Anitun Tabu's fury at bay. For the goddess of storms demands vengeance. And she will sweep aside anyone who stands in her way."--

Book Synopsis

SHORTLISTED FOR THE ALDISS AWARD FOR WORLDBUILDING 2025.

In this fiercely imaginative Filipino-inspired fantasy debut, a bisexual nun hiding a goddess-given gift is unwillingly transformed into a lightning rod for her people's struggle against colonization. Perfect for fans of The Poppy War and The Jasmine Throne.

María Lunurin has been living a double life for as long as she can remember. To the world, she is Sister María, dutiful nun and devoted servant of Aynila's Codicían colonizers. But behind closed doors, she is a stormcaller, chosen daughter of the Aynilan goddess Anitun Tabu. In hiding not only from the Codicíans and their witch hunts, but also from the vengeful eye of her slighted goddess, Lunurin does what she can to protect her fellow Aynilans and the small family she has created in the convent: her lover Catalina, and Cat's younger sister Inez.

Lunurin is determined to keep her head down--until one day she makes a devastating discovery, which threatens to tear her family apart. In desperation, she turns for help to Alon Dakila, heir to Aynila's most powerful family, who has been ardently in love with her for years. But this choice sets in motion a chain of events beyond her control, awakening Anitun Tabu's rage and putting everyone Lunurin loves in terrible danger. Torn between the call of Alon's magic and Catalina's jealousy, her duty to her family and to her people, Lunurin can no longer keep Anitun Tabu's fury at bay.

The goddess of storms demands vengeance. And she will sweep aside anyone who stands in her way.

Review Quotes

"Gabriella Buba writes the way the ocean moves: rhythmic and rolling, with dark currents and a powerful grace. Saints of Storm and Sorrow elegantly weaves the rich tapestry of Filipino folklore into a poignant, harrowing tale of magic and rebellion and sacrifice. Every page is drenched in the pain and hope that characterized our centuries-long struggle. This is fantasy at its finest, but it's also a story about us, and about how my love for you is one with our love for the motherland." Thea Guanzon, New York Times, USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of The Hurricane Wars

"Action, magic, romance... An unforgettable story filled with inspiration from myths across the Philippine islands. Crafted with exquisite detail that will resonate with fantasy fans--from those seeking new adventures to those like me, aching for the familiar." K.S. Villoso, author of The Wolf of Oren-Yaro

"A story of secret identity and concealed powers through a magical mixed kid's double life--the narrative architecture of Filipino folklore crashing against the rise of colonial power--I'm obsessed and so glad there's more of Buba's story to come." Maya Gittelman, Reactor, "Reviewer's Choice: The Best Books of 2024"

"Saints of Storm and Sorrow is a vicious examination of the struggles a colonized culture must endure to survive, bundled in a devastating storm of rage, grief, and lost love. Love, betrayal, incredible worldbuilding, and righteous female rage... hell yeah!" Rebecca Thorne, author of Can't Spell Treason Without Tea

"I am feral for this book. Buba has written a sublime, devastating tale that crackles with romance, dazzles with political intrigue, and snarls with the pent-up fury of those who suffer under colonization. And that fury must be released. Saints of Storm and Sorrow will hook you from its tumultuous beginning, draw you into a richly realized Filipino world, and crush you with emotion." Mia Tsai, author of Bitter Medicine

"10 Best New Fantasy Books by Asians and Pacific Islanders" BookRiot

"With prose as immersive and bracing as a sea storm, Saints of Storm and Sorrow is a stunning debut. Readers will be swept away by Lunurin's struggles as she is torn between the life she's building under the bonds of colonial rule and a vengeful goddess pounding at her mind's door. This aching, rage-soaked novel is a must-read." Nicole Jarvis, author of A Portrait in Shadow

"Saints of Storm and Sorrow weaves an unforgettable journey into a world where gods walk among mortals and even the quietest whispers can spark a revolution. The thrilling action and complex characters provide a springboard from which Buba masterfully delves into the nuanced relationship between the colonizers and the colonized. Lush, vibrant, and spellbinding--this folklore-inspired fantasy gripped my imagination (and my heart) from the beginning and never let it go." Kyla Zhao, author of Valley Verified and The Fraud Squad

"Saints of Storm and Sorrow is an absorbing, compelling story of resistance and determination, offering fantasy readers a richly detailed world full of characters with exceptional emotional depth. Buba is a powerhouse, providing an unflinching examination of colonialism and the full range of tenderness, loyalty, and pain in the complex relationships between her characters, all with equal skill. " Faye Delacour, author of The Lady He Lost

"Readers who like their folklore with plenty of politics will find their fix with this one." -Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Gabriella Buba is a mixed Filipina-Czech author and chemical engineer based in Texas who likes to keep explosive pyrophoric materials safely contained in pressure vessels or between the covers of her books. She writes adult romantic fantasy for bold, bi, brown women who deserve to see their stories centered. Find her online @gabriellabuba and at gabriellabuba.com.