Embers in the Salt
New Merserat · Book One
Syra doesn't ask for much. A locked door, a clean blade, and no one looking too closely at her past.
A former pit fighter, she's built her life on discipline and distance. In New Merserat—a port city of trading houses, salt-bleached docks, and alleys the oil lamps don't reach—she survives by keeping her head down and her hands ready. The streets call her the Greykiss; she'd rather they didn't call her anything at all. When a charge of excessive force lands her ten days of public service, it should be simple. Predictable. Forgettable.
Then she meets Lienne.
Warm, bookish, and seemingly ordinary, the librarian volunteers at charity distributions and reads knight memoirs on canal benches. She's everything Syra isn't. But something about her draws attention—the wrong kind. When Syra's former patron resurfaces with pointed questions about Lienne, and shadows from the north begin to circle, the danger isn't only what's hunting them. Lienne sees the woman behind the monster—and doesn't flinch.
As rumors spread from the Salt Fields—wolves that howl wrong, salt that hums beneath the skin, a curse no merchant will name—old debts come due, and the carefully maintained walls around Syra begin to crack. Not from violence, but from something she's far less equipped to handle: a reason to keep going.
Embers in the Salt is a slow-burn, gritty fantasy of fierce loyalty, hard-edged action, and gathering storms—a story about two people learning to trust each other in a world that punishes exactly that.
Book Details
Genre: Adult Low Fantasy, Gritty Fantasy, Political Intrigue, Character-Driven
Setting: Early Modern, Pre-Industrial, Salt-Fed Seaport City
Audience: Adult readers
Series: New Merserat
Order in Series: 1
Publish Year: 2026
Status: available
Release Date: June 13, 2026
Page Count: 379
ISBN: 978-3-9828305-1-3
ASIN: B0H5691BBC
Language: English
Formats:
Themes:
What Readers Are Saying
Selected reactions to Embers in the Salt.
Editorial Review
BookLife Review (⚡️Editor’s Pick)
"Trouvay's unflinching debut sweeps readers into New Merserat, a world of stark division and danger. Trouvay writes with vivid imagery and memorable phrasing while hinting at a rich past looming behind New Merserat’s decline. He immerses readers in an atmosphere of gritty survival where scars run deeper than skin, propelling the plot with unforgettable characters and layered tension while questioning whether belonging is a need—or a liability. Syra’s transformation is hard-earned, intense, and will leave fans eager for more."
Editorial Review
J.R. Kendiro (Author of the Ravenous Mother series)
"Competent, atmospheric, with a protagonist that works and antagonists that linger… it executes everything with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what they're doing. New Merserat is a port city built on the salt trade… Trouvay makes it breathe: the alleys stink, the social classes cheerfully despise each other. The fight scenes are genuinely grounded. Bones break, blood gets everywhere, consequences linger. The political thread — Saltbird versus Vessein, the salt trade as economic weapon — holds up well alongside the personal story. The world emerges from the characters, their choices, and their frequent mistakes. And above all: it respects the reader."
— J.R. Kendiro
Dark, gritty and gorgeously written. I really took the time to savour every word because of how immersive the world-building was and how deeply invested I felt following Syra and Lienne on their journey; how they learned much more about themselves and each other in a world full of bleakness and danger lurking in every corner. I really love the contrasts between them, with subtle but effective details which give way to some really memorable and moving moments. The pacing was gentle, with intensely described scenes when there were any moments of action or intimacy between characters. I am excited to see the future books in this series continue to build on plot points highlighted in the story, as they are barely touched upon, as if intentionally to build up to something bigger later on in the books. I feel this is just the beginning of something spectacular.
I feel this book balances everything really well. I don't feel it revealed its hand too soon with moments that could easily be spoiled early on, with nowhere to go later; it felt more like an introduction to well-cherished characters, a carefully crafted world, and some story beats to keep the momentum going just right.
Definitely give this one a read!
— Ashleigh G.
I honestly didn’t expect to get pulled in as quickly as I did, but Embers in the Salt by Klood P. Trouvay is such a gritty and immersive read. The world-building is one of the outstanding parts. New Merserat feels lived-in, as if every alley and system has history behind it, even if you’re only seeing pieces at a time. What really stuck with me, though, was the contrast between Syra and Lienne. Their dynamic is easily the most interesting part. The pacing builds the atmosphere. Overall, it’s the kind of story that takes a while to get into but is definitely worth sticking with.
— Miche A.
Klood P. Trouvay’s Embers in the Salt is a great choice if you’re looking for an exciting fantasy tale that is unapologetically brutal. Trouvay builds the world of New Merserat with such vivid, gritty detail that you can almost smell the brine. The story unfolds perfectly, and the plot is expertly crafted. Because it prioritizes Syra’s perspective and her friendship with Lienne, the high-stakes conclusion has a massive impact. I thought the pacing was spot on. The character dynamics are the highlight here. It’s a rough, opinionated take on redemption that avoids all the usual clichés. I’m eager to follow this series till the end. Grab this novel if you’re a fan of character-focused stories with a darker edge.
— Jefto P.
Author Klood P. Trouvay is a master of intrigue and tension. From the very start, the reader is drawn in with visual descriptions that leave them aching for more. Instead of just one, there are two female main characters, each with their own strengths, lending depth to this story. The pacing is steady, and the plot is phenomenal. I loved that the author leaves enough out of the story for the reader to keep wondering. Embers in the Salt is the first book in the New Merserat series, and it contains more than enough action and suspense. Intended for an adult audience, this book is perfect for readers who love nothing more than a wonderfully grim fantasy.
— Ronél S.
Klood P. Trouvay’s tale is elegiac, and the writing captivated me. The imagery infuses life into the setting, and I felt as though I was watching the brine-crusted flats right before me. The grim fantasy setting absorbed me with its salt fields, harsh power structures, stinking brine, endless white horizons, and salt-burned skins. I loved Syra as a character. She is pragmatic in her violence, and her closed-off demeanor was a mask that kept me curious about the wounds she hides. Embers in the Salt will entice fans of grim, character-driven fantasy that features desolate landscapes, exploitation, and the human cost of power. This novel was a wonderful treat for me.
— Romuald D.
Author Klood P. Trouvay created a believable story with a fantastic cast of characters that amplified the excitement of the plot. The descriptions were vivid, the world-building was incredible, and the character development was on point. I loved the action-packed tension that ran throughout the story. The fight scenes were cinematic, the race for survival exciting, and the plot entertaining. I loved the contrast between Lienne and Syra. One was soft while the other was hardened by the life she lived to survive. They balanced each other out perfectly and allowed the readers to see different sides of both of them. I loved Syra's development the most! The epilogue was surprising and made me wonder if we will get a second novel focused on Lienne and Maia. Embers in the Salt was fantastic, and I cannot wait to see what happens next!
— Rabia T.
More from the New Merserat series
Book 2
Solvent in the Ledger
Coming next in New Merserat. Details soon.
Book 3
New Merserat · Book Three
A new story in New Merserat is on the way.