#famous Indian travel riders

[ridingyogi]

The new one.

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#himalayan #royalenfield #royalenfieldhimalayan #himalayan540 #newhimalayan #motoverse2023 #goa #indiantravelbikers #motovlogger #travelbikers

[crazyriders]

Leh Ladakh Siachen Car Tour

A Leh-Ladakh-Siachen car tour is an extraordinary journey into one of the most remote and awe-inspiring regions on Earth. From the vibrant landscapes of Ladakh to the icy heights of the Siachen Glacier, this tour offers a blend of adventure, natural beauty, and a deep sense of patriotism as you visit the world's highest battlefield.

Day 1: Leh to Nubra Valley – Into Ladakh’s Paradise

Begin your journey with a scenic drive from Leh to Nubra Valley, covering approximately 125 km via the famous Khardung La Pass. At 18,380 feet, this high-altitude road offers panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayas.

Descend into Nubra Valley, known for its stark desert landscapes and lush green villages. Visit the Diskit Monastery, home to a towering Maitreya Buddha statue overlooking the valley. Spend the evening at Hunder Sand Dunes, where you can enjoy a ride on the unique double-humped Bactrian camels.

Day 2: Nubra Valley to Siachen Base Camp – At the Edge of the Glacier

On the second day, drive toward the iconic Siachen Base Camp, located at an altitude of approximately 12,000 feet. The route takes you through picturesque valleys and rugged terrain, with the mighty Siachen Glacier looming ahead.

The base camp is the gateway to the world’s highest battlefield, where the Indian Army guards the nation’s borders under extreme conditions. While visitors cannot proceed beyond this point, witnessing the harsh yet majestic environment is a humbling experience.

Spend time interacting with the soldiers, learning about their lives, and paying homage to their bravery. The evening is spent at a nearby accommodation or campsite, where the serenity of the mountains is your companion.

Day 3: Siachen to Leh – Retracing the Stunning Landscapes

Start your day early to enjoy the crisp mountain air as you begin the return journey to Leh. Retrace your route through Nubra Valley, stopping at scenic spots and landmarks along the way. If time permits, visit Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace, two iconic sites near Leh, known for their architectural beauty and cultural significance.

Highlights of the Leh-Ladakh-Siachen Car Tour

Khardung La Pass: Drive through one of the world’s highest motorable roads, a thrilling experience for any adventurer.

Nubra Valley: Discover the enchanting beauty of Ladakh’s desert oasis, complete with sand dunes and monasteries.

Siachen Base Camp: Experience the grandeur and significance of the world’s highest battlefield.

Cultural Landmarks: Explore monasteries and palaces that reflect Ladakh’s rich history and spirituality.

Why Visit Siachen Base Camp?

The Siachen Base Camp is a testament to human resilience and dedication. Located at the edge of the Siachen Glacier, it offers a rare glimpse into the lives of soldiers who endure extreme conditions to protect the nation. The journey itself, with its stunning landscapes and remote beauty, is a humbling and unforgettable experience.

Tips for a Comfortable Journey

Acclimatize in Leh: Spend at least two days acclimating to the altitude before starting the tour.

Travel Essentials: Carry warm clothing, sunscreen, and a first-aid kit.

Respect Restrictions: The Siachen region has strict rules; ensure you follow all guidelines provided by the authorities.

Vehicle Preparation: Ensure your vehicle is well-maintained for the rugged terrain. Hiring a local driver familiar with the roads is advisable.

Conclusion

The Leh-Ladakh-Siachen car tour is more than just a road trip; it’s an emotional journey through a land of unparalleled beauty and bravery. From the tranquil villages of Nubra to the icy frontier of Siachen, every moment is an adventure and a tribute to the indomitable human spirit.

Whether you're a patriot, an adventurer, or a nature enthusiast, this tour promises memories that will stay with you forever. So, buckle up and embark on a journey to witness the majesty of Ladakh and the valor of those who defend it.

Contact us:

Crazy Riders

Phone: +91 705-300-7000.

Email: info@crazyriders.in

Website:www.crazyriders.in

[khivrajmotors]

The Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG Bike is an economical

The Freedom 125 CNG Bajaj bike is economical and environment friendly for those who are seeking for separate kilometers and do not want to compromise with extra miles for an enjoyable ride. The Freedom 125 CNG is one of the newest additions to Bajaj’s stock, and it addresses a growing market of affordable and environmentally friendly transportation in India. This bike incorporates CNG as a better fuel than petrol while providing the performance that Bajaj bikes are famous for.

We'll discuss the Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG Bike unique selling points and why it's a fantastic option for city commuters in this article.

Why CNG?

Because of its availability, affordability, and fewer emissions, compressed natural gas, or CNG, is becoming more and more popular as an alternative fuel. Here are some reasons why picking a  Bajaj CNG bike, such as the Bajaj Freedom 125, might be a wise choice:

Eco-Friendliness: CNG results in more minimal emission of compounds that has adverse effects on the environment as compared to petrol. For instance, environmental consciousness enthusiasts can see a CNG bike as a means of empowering themselves if not the entire world, just a little in cutting on the usage of carbon.

Lower Fuel Costs: CNG is usually cheaper than petrol and has its price increase rate lower than petrol. For the commuter, there is a long term benefit of cheap fuel costs, which contribute to the total cost of owning a bike.

Government Initiatives: With the Indian government encouraging green energy, CNG has attracted numerous governmental support due to increasing infrastructures and refueling stations. The trend of a CNG refueling station reaching millions of people within a short time means that the owners can refill without much difficulty.

Key Features of the Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG

1. Fuel Efficiency

The Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG Bike is a bike design with fuel economy at heart. Bajaj has made it to provide more kilometers per litre, which is an important factor adopted by Indians who prefer their bikes for daily use. This bike can be used to travel more distances with the little time that you will be spending on refueling hence the operational cost will be low.

2. Performance and Handling

Thus although this bike focuses on fuel economy Bajaj has paid equal importance to the performance of the bike. The Freedom 125 CNG has a sensitive acceleration, which makes it easy to move around especially in city traffic. Visually elegant and balanced, the power and comfort riders can expect allows them to use it in daily riding.

3. Stylish Design and Comfort

Starting with the aesthetics of design, the Freedom 125 CNG has been developed with an eye on the contemporary mass, according to Bajaj. This model has been designed to be aerodynamic and has little body adornments to go with the modern day city cyclist and the seating position and overall weight distribution contribute to the comfortable feel. The bike is also compact and therefore easy to maneuver especially for persons who are new into bike riding.

4. Low Maintenance Cost

As usual in most CNG car models, the Freedom 125 CNG has relatively low maintenance cost. These engines produce few carbon deposits which are known to cause higher engine wear than the CNG engines. This can lessen the frequency of the servicing them, which can be very costly over the years to the owners.

Is the Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG Right for You?

For the commuters looking for an economical, green vehicle the last addition to the Bajaj family, the Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG Bike is ideal. It may not pack the punch of a petrol bike, yet it offers better fuel economy, less pollution, and over the long haul better economy and lower maintenance cost make it ideal for city use. But if you are open to enjoy the features of a bike that runs on CNG then definitely Bajaj Freedom 125 is the perfect option for you.

Ride for Freedom with the Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG so you can help promote a positive change while experiencing convenience, ease of use, cost-efficiency, and most importantly, freedom on the road.

[helix-24]

Helix 24 in Lawrence, KS

Currently, many people are searching for student housing options near University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS these days. If you’re one of them, you can try researching about Helix 24. Moreover, if you need a spacious apartment home, you can contact one of their employees. If you're a student and you want a posh lifestyle, you should rent one of their apartment homes. As such, you can take advantage of their accessible, spacious, and well-designed apartment home. Moreover, they also offer private balconies available, in-unit laundry, high-speed internet included, per-person contracts, roommate matching, and more. Lastly, you can also finish your homework faster since they have high-speed internet.

Lawrence, KS

Right now, don���t forget to check out future events in your travel destination like Lawrence, KS, if you’re creating a travel plan. Let’s talk a little about some of the pre-planned activities in Lawrence, KS then. First, there will be a free event named Haskell Climate Change and Children's Health Symposium this coming Thursday, November 14, 2024, at around 9:00 AM, at Haskell Indian Nations University. Second, The Bowersock Mills & Power Co. 150th Anniversary Friendsgiving is scheduled on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at around 3:00 PM, at 500 South Powerhouse Road. Lastly, you can also opt to attend the KU 68th Annual Asphalt Paving Conference on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at around 7:30 AM, at University of Kansas Memorial Union.

Clinton State Park in Lawrence, KS

We think that the Clinton State Park in Lawrence, KS is famous among tourists worldwide. Besides, it is also one of the best places you can visit if you like to relax these days. Clinton State Park, situated just four miles from Lawrence, is a 1,425-acre park that rests on the north shore of Clinton Lake, known for its clear water and good fishing. Moreover, the park is located next to a 9,200-acre wildlife area. Furthermore, Clinton State Park is well known for its extensive trail system used by hikers, nature photographers, mountain bikers, wildflower enthusiasts, and wildlife observers. Besides, the land around the park also carries historical significance, as it was once a prime spot for the Underground Railroad.

Ribbon cutting to celebrate bus shelters built in partnership with Peaslee Tech and Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence

These days, there are interesting news reports in Lawrence, KS area. Recently, there was a topic about a ribbon cutting event. As reported, Lawrence Transit announces an exciting partnership with Peaslee Tech for fifteen handmade bus shelters. Then, these shelters were built through programming with the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence and will be installed across the community. Moreover, it was mentioned in the news that this is Lawrence Transit’s second partnership with Peaslee Tech for custom bus shelters. Felice Lavergne, Transit Planner II, shared that, “Working with community partners like Peaslee Tech and the Boys & Girls Club to make creative and functional spaces is an exciting part of Lawrence Transit’s work and our commitment to a great rider experience.”

Link to map

Clinton State Park 798 N 1415 Rd, Lawrence, KS 66049, United States Follow E 900 Rd to N 1400 Rd/Clinton Parkway 33 sec (0.1 mi) Follow Clinton Parkway to W 24th Pl in Lawrence 5 min (2.2 mi) Continue on W 24th Pl to your destination 1 min (0.3 mi) Helix 24 4301 W 24th Pl, Lawrence, KS 66047, United States

[vardhmanvacationsblog]

Rajasthan Desert Tours & Safaris

Rajasthan, often referred to as the "Land of Kings," is a state in India known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Among its most mesmerizing features are the vast Thar Desert and the unforgettable desert tours and safaris that draw travelers from across the globe. These adventures offer a unique opportunity to explore the timeless beauty of the desert, experience the warmth of Rajasthani hospitality, and dive deep into the traditions that make this region so special.

Introduction to Rajasthan Desert Tours

Rajasthan Desert Tours offer an enchanting escape into a world of endless dunes, where the scorching sun gives way to cool nights under the starry skies. The Thar Desert, stretching across Rajasthan, is a sea of golden sand that promises a thrilling adventure for every visitor. These tours allow travelers to discover the charm of desert life while exploring historic forts, vibrant villages, and remote oases.

Rajasthan tours often combine the splendor of the desert with visits to the region's famous cities, including Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Jaisalmer. These cities, known for their grand palaces, fortresses, and temples, provide the perfect backdrop to a journey through Rajasthan's desert landscape. The desert tours, however, offer a more intimate and adventurous glimpse into the state's soul.

The Essence of Rajasthan Desert Safaris

A key highlight of Rajasthan Desert Tours is the desert safari, an activity that promises an exciting and immersive experience. Rajasthan Desert Safaris typically take place in the Thar Desert, where the landscape is shaped by the rolling dunes, sparse vegetation, and the occasional settlement of nomadic tribes. These safaris are available in various forms, ranging from camel rides to jeep safaris, each offering its own unique way to explore the vast desert expanse.

Camel Safari: The Traditional Way

Camel safaris are the most traditional way to explore the Thar Desert. Camels, often called the "ships of the desert," are well-adapted to the harsh conditions of the desert and have been used by locals for centuries as a primary means of transportation. A camel safari offers a slow-paced journey through the sand dunes, allowing travelers to fully absorb the serenity and beauty of the desert. Along the way, riders may encounter small villages, interact with local families, and gain insight into the traditional desert lifestyle.

Many Rajasthan Desert Tours offer camel safaris that last for several hours, while others provide multi-day expeditions that take travelers deep into the desert, where they can camp under the stars and enjoy traditional Rajasthani meals cooked over an open fire. The rhythmic swaying of the camel, combined with the silence of the desert, creates a truly meditative experience.

Jeep Safari: The Adventurous Ride

For those seeking a faster and more adrenaline-filled experience, a jeep safari is an excellent option. Jeep safaris allow travelers to cover greater distances in less time, providing the opportunity to explore remote areas of the Thar Desert that are inaccessible by camel. These Rajasthan Desert Safaris often include visits to historic sites, such as abandoned forts, ancient temples, and centuries-old havelis (mansions), as well as encounters with the local wildlife.

Jeep safaris offer a thrilling ride through the dunes, with drivers expertly navigating the shifting sands and steep inclines. These safaris also provide the chance to witness the desert’s diverse fauna, including desert foxes, gazelles, and even the elusive Indian bustard. For photography enthusiasts, the dynamic landscapes and rich cultural experiences make a jeep safari a perfect way to capture the essence of Rajasthan's desert.

Rajasthan Desert Tours: Cultural Immersion

Beyond the excitement of Rajasthan Desert Safaris, desert tours offer a rich cultural experience that highlights the traditions and customs of Rajasthan’s desert communities. Many Rajasthan Desert Tours include visits to local villages, where travelers can witness traditional arts and crafts, such as pottery, weaving, and embroidery. These crafts have been passed down through generations and are an integral part of the region’s cultural heritage.

Visitors can also enjoy folk music and dance performances, which are an essential aspect of desert life. The lively beats of traditional Rajasthani instruments, such as the dholak and the sarangi, fill the air as dancers dressed in colorful costumes perform the intricate moves of the Ghoomar and Kalbelia dances. These performances often take place around a campfire, under the open sky, creating an enchanting atmosphere that is both festive and intimate.

Rajasthan tours also provide the opportunity to stay in desert camps, where travelers can enjoy modern comforts while experiencing the rustic charm of desert life. These camps, set up amidst the dunes, offer well-furnished tents with all the necessary amenities, as well as the chance to savor traditional Rajasthani cuisine. Meals are typically prepared using local ingredients and cooking methods, resulting in dishes that are rich in flavor and reflective of the region’s culinary traditions.

Popular Destinations for Rajasthan Desert Tours

While the entire Thar Desert is a treasure trove of experiences, certain destinations are particularly popular for Rajasthan Desert Safaris and tours.

Jaisalmer: The Golden City

Jaisalmer, often referred to as the "Golden City" due to its stunning yellow sandstone architecture, is the most famous starting point for Rajasthan Desert Tours. The city is home to the magnificent Jaisalmer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as numerous havelis that showcase the opulence of the region’s past. From Jaisalmer, travelers can embark on camel and jeep safaris that take them deep into the surrounding desert.

Jaisalmer is also known for its Desert Festival, which is held annually in February. This vibrant event celebrates the culture of Rajasthan with camel races, folk performances, and traditional competitions, providing a lively and colorful experience for visitors.

Bikaner: The Gateway to the Thar

Bikaner, another key destination for Rajasthan Desert Tours, is known for its historic forts and palaces, including the imposing Junagarh Fort. The city is also famous for its camel breeding farms and hosts the Bikaner Camel Festival, an event that showcases the vital role camels play in desert life.

Bikaner’s desert safaris offer a chance to explore the nearby villages and dunes, as well as visit the Karni Mata Temple, also known as the "Rat Temple," which is one of the most unique and intriguing sites in Rajasthan.

Jodhpur: The Blue City

Jodhpur, the "Blue City," is another popular destination for Rajasthan tours. The city’s vibrant blue-painted buildings and the imposing Mehrangarh Fort make it a striking location. Jodhpur serves as a gateway to the Thar Desert, with many Rajasthan Desert Safaris starting from here. These safaris often include visits to the Bishnoi villages, where travelers can learn about the eco-friendly practices and wildlife conservation efforts of the local community.

The Magic of Rajasthan Desert Tours

Whether riding a camel through the dunes at sunset, speeding across the sand in a jeep, or sitting around a campfire while listening to folk tales, Rajasthan Desert Tours offer a one-of-a-kind experience that captures the essence of the desert.

[rentnhope]

8 Hidden Gem Bike Rental Spots in Leh, Perfect for Solo Adventures

Leh is your ideal destination if you're searching for a solitary journey that mixes the exhilaration of riding with the unadulterated splendor of the Himalayas. This area, which is tucked away in the untamed terrain of the Indian Himalayas, offers some of the most stunning vistas and difficult routes, making it ideal for anyone looking for peace and adventure. You may quickly start a journey through some of the most beautiful but lesser-known locations that promise both calm and excitement, with bike rental in Leh being easily accessible. 

1. Khardung La:

One of the world's highest motorable passes, Khardung La, must be conquered for a trip to Leh to be fully realized. Despite being a well-known location, the ascent provides undiscovered treasures in the form of magnificent vistas and unspoiled scenery. The journey itself is an endurance test, but the payoff is a breathtaking view that not many people have seen. You can take on this strenuous climb and relish the serenity that follows with a Leh bike rental. 

2. Nubra Valley

Sand dunes, double-humped camels, and the scenic Shyok and Nubra rivers may all be found in Nubra Valley, a hidden gem in the Himalayas. This valley offers stunning and tranquil views, and the ride there is nothing short of amazing. By choosing a bike on rent in Leh, you can take your time exploring the valley and make stops at lesser-known locations like the charming villages of Thunder and Diskit, where you can get a taste of local culture off the typical tourist routes. 

3. Pangong Lake

Though many people visit Pangong Lake, few really discover all of its secret corners. Bike riders will enjoy the winding roads leading to Pangong, which provide sweeping vistas of the shifting terrain. You may discover hidden locations around the lake where you can take in the peaceful beauty without having to crowd by selecting a Leh bike rental. One event that shouldn't be missed is the early morning ride to see the sun rise over the lake. 

4. Tso Moriri

Although Pangong receives the most attention, Tso Moriri is a less visited but just as beautiful alternative. For lone tourists seeking refuge from the masses, this high-altitude lake offers a hideaway. Rough roads and high heights make the ride to Tso Moriri difficult, but the unspoiled beauty and seclusion make the effort worthwhile. 

5. Lamayuru

Lamayuru's distinctive, lunar-like scenery has earned it the nickname "Moonland of India." You'll pass through some of the most breathtaking scenery on the route to this isolated settlement. One of Ladakh's oldest monasteries is located in the settlement itself, providing a window into the rich history and culture of the area. 

6. Zanskar Valley

An unparalleled motorcycling experience awaits those who dare to venture into Zanskar Valley. Long and difficult paths that put your endurance and ability to the test will get you to Zanskar. Unspoiled landscapes, isolated communities, and the opportunity to commune with nature in its most unadulterated state are the enormous benefits. Discover the numerous secrets of the valley and set out on an incredible adventure with a bike rental in Leh. 

7. Alchi Monastery

Prehistoric artwork and distinctive architecture make Alchi Monastery, one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in the area, stand out. Despite being a well-known tourist destination, the surroundings have undiscovered treasures that are ideal for a peaceful escape. An excellent choice for those seeking a more laid-back adventure is the reasonably straightforward ride to Alchi. Discover the lesser-traveled paths surrounding the monastery . 

8. Hemis National Park

Famous for its snow leopard population, Hemis National Park is a sanctuary for lovers of nature. With its many undiscovered trails, the park provides a distinctive biking experience. Enjoy the quiet that comes with being in such a remote place as you go through immaculate scenery on the park ride. You can even glimpse wildlife. You may roam the park at your own speed and find many of its hidden treasures with a Leh bike rental.

Conclusion

Leh is a hidden gem miner's dream, full of opportunities for two-wheeled exploration and full of surprises waiting to be discovered. There is something for everyone in this rough area, whether you're looking for thrilling rides, stunning scenery, or a peaceful getaway. You can easily set off on your own journey and discover the lesser-known locations that really make Leh unique with the help of the bike rental in Leh that is conveniently accessible. So get ready to discover the mysteries of Leh's breathtaking landscape as you saddle up and rent a bike.

[pashupati22]

Assessing the Premier Ebike Option in India

As urban landscapes evolve and environmental concerns grow, the demand for eco-friendly transportation is rising. Electric bicycles, or e-bikes, have become famous for commuters and enthusiasts in India. In a country facing traffic congestion and pollution, e-bikes offer a sustainable and efficient travel solution. This article evaluates the premier e-bike options in India, focusing on the renowned Avon Electric brand.

Understanding the Indian Ebike Market

Growth and Potential

The Indian e-bike market has grown substantially, driven by government initiatives promoting electric mobility and rising environmental awareness. Technological advancements and increased affordability have made e-bikes an attractive alternative to conventional bicycles and motorized vehicles.

Benefits of Ebikes

E-bikes provide a convenient and cost-effective mode of transportation, allowing commuters to navigate congested streets easily. They promote health and fitness, minimize carbon emissions, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Evaluating Avon Electric Ebike Range

Design and Innovation

Avon Electric is known for innovation and excellence. Their e-bikes feature stylish designs, cutting-edge technology, and robust construction. Avon Electric offers a comprehensive lineup catering to diverse needs, from sleek urban commuters to rugged off-road models.

Performance and Battery Life

Avon Electric bikes have potent motors and high-capacity lithium-ion batteries, delivering impressive acceleration and extended range on a single charge. They ensure a smooth and reliable riding experience, whether navigating city streets or embarking on long journeys.

Safety Features

Avon Electric prioritizes safety. Their e-bikes include advanced safety features like responsive braking systems, integrated lights, and reflective elements, which enhance rider safety and visibility on the road.

Factors Influencing Purchase Decisions

Price and Affordability: Avon Electric balances affordability and quality, offering competitive pricing without compromising performance or features.

After-Sales Support: Avon Electric provides comprehensive support services, including warranty coverage, servicing assistance, and spare parts availability.

User Reviews: Avon Electric has received praise for its reliability, performance, and customer service, cementing its reputation in the e-bike market.

Conclusion

As demand for sustainable transportation grows, e-bikes have emerged as a viable option in India. Avon Electric is a premier e-bike manufacturer offering innovative, reliable, and affordable models. For more information on Avon Electric bikes, visit Avon Electric.

[vikhyatr]

Riding the Waves in Paradise: Best Surfing Spots in Bali

Introduction

Bali, the Island of the Gods, beckons travelers not only with its lush landscapes, vibrant culture, and spiritual charm but also offers unique experiences for surf enthusiasts worldwide. Renowned for its diverse surf breaks, Bali stands as a premier destination where both seasoned professionals and beginners can immerse themselves in the thrill of riding the waves. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the best places to surf in Bali, exploring the unique experiences of each spot and helping you plan the ultimate surfing adventure in this Indonesian paradise.

I. Uluwatu: Where Legends Carve Waves

Legendary Waves and Stunning Scenery

Perched on the southwestern tip of the Bukit Peninsula, Uluwatu is a surfing mecca renowned for its world-class waves and breathtaking oceanfront cliffs. The iconic Uluwatu wave is a fast and powerful left-hander, attracting experienced surfers seeking a thrilling ride. The cliffs overlooking the surf break offer panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, creating a mesmerizing backdrop for surf sessions.

Suluban Beach - The Blue Point Beach Experience

Nestled beneath towering cliffs, Suluban Beach, also known as Blue Point Beach, is a hidden gem accessible through a narrow cave entrance. Surfers can expect consistent barrels and challenging waves, making it a favorite among the more advanced crowd. The laid-back atmosphere and vibrant beach cafes add to the charm of Suluban, making it an ideal spot for both surfing and relaxation.

II. Canggu: The Bohemian Surf Haven

Boho Vibes and Perfect Breaks

Canggu, situated on Bali's southwest coast, has emerged as a trendy destination for surfers seeking a blend of world-class waves and bohemian vibes. The black sand beaches of Canggu are home to a variety of surf breaks, accommodating surfers of all skill levels. The lively atmosphere, vibrant street art, and eclectic cafes create a unique surfing experience that goes beyond the waves.

Echo Beach - A Surfer's Playground

Echo Beach, a popular spot within Canggu, boasts a consistent beach break that is perfect for surfers honing their skills. The mellow waves make it an excellent choice for beginners, while the more experienced surfers can still enjoy challenging rides. After a day on the waves, explore the beachfront bars and restaurants, soaking in the laid-back ambiance of Echo Beach.

III. Seminyak: Surfing and Style

Chic Waves and Upscale Vibes

Seminyak, known for its upscale resorts, trendy boutiques, and stylish beach clubs, also offers excellent surfing conditions. While not as intense as Uluwatu, the waves in Seminyak cater to a diverse range of surfers. This area is ideal for those who want to combine their love for surfing with a touch of luxury and sophistication.

Petitenget Beach - Where Style Meets the Surf

Petitenget Beach, a part of Seminyak, provides a more relaxed surfing experience compared to its neighboring spots. With a mix of reef and beach breaks, it accommodates surfers of various skill levels. After catching some waves, explore the chic beachfront bars and designer boutiques that characterize the stylish allure of Petitenget.

IV. Padang Padang: A Barrel Rider's Paradise

Tube Riding and Turquoise Waters

Padang Padang, located on the Bukit Peninsula, is synonymous with challenging waves and crystal-clear turquoise waters. This reef break is famous for its fast and hollow barrels, making it a paradise for experienced surfers seeking the ultimate tube ride. The annual Rip Curl Cup, held at Padang Padang, attracts top surfers from around the world, showcasing the break's reputation.

The Bali Film Set - Padang Padang Beach

Made famous by the movie "Eat Pray Love," Padang Padang Beach is not only a surfing haven but also a picturesque destination for beach lovers. The sandy cove surrounded by cliffs provides a stunning backdrop for surf sessions, creating an idyllic setting for both surfers and spectators alike.

V. Keramas: The East Coast Gem

Unspoiled Beauty and Consistent Swells

On Bali's less-explored east coast lies Keramas, a hidden gem with consistent swells and unspoiled beauty. The volcanic black sand beach sets the stage for a unique surfing experience, and the waves cater to a range of skill levels. Keramas is perfect for those seeking a more secluded and tranquil surfing atmosphere away from the bustling west coast.

Komune Beach Club - Surf, Stay, and Play

Adjacent to Keramas Beach is the Komune Beach Club, a surf resort that offers not only comfortable accommodations but also a front-row seat to the Keramas surf break. Surfers can enjoy the convenience of staying steps away from the waves, making it an ideal destination for those looking to immerse themselves in the surfing lifestyle.

Conclusion:

Bali, with its diverse surf breaks and vibrant culture, stands as a paradise for surfers seeking an unforgettable experience. From the legendary waves of Uluwatu to the bohemian vibes of Canggu, each surfing spot on the island offers a unique blend of challenges and charm. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a novice eager to learn, Bali's surf scene has something for everyone. So, pack your board, embrace the island spirit, and get ready to ride the waves in one of the world's most enchanting surfing destinations.

[sughoshperur]

Celebrate Christmas  With An Exhilarating Dose Of Flyboarding In Goa

Are you tired of the same old Christmas celebrations year after year? Do you dream of adding a touch of adventure and thrill to your holiday season? This Christmas, why not trade in your cozy fireplace for the sun-drenched beaches of Goa and take your festive spirit to new heights – quite literally! Join us as we explore the exhilarating world of fly boarding in Goa, a water sport that promises to make your Christmas in Goa an unforgettable experience.

Experience The Unbelievable: Fly Boarding In Goa

Goa, the sunny coastal state in western India, is not only known for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife but also for offering an array of thrilling water sports activities, with flyboarding being one of the most exhilarating options. If you're seeking an adventure that combines the excitement of flying with the beauty of the Arabian Sea, then flying board in Goa should be at the top of your list.

What is Flyboarding?

Flyboarding is a relatively new water sport that has gained immense popularity in Goa. It involves riding a flyboard, which is like a wakeboard attached to a hose connected to a jet ski. The jet ski propels water through the hose, providing thrust to lift the rider above the water's surface. With proper balance and control, participants can perform acrobatic maneuvers and even hover above the sea.

Why Goa for Flyboarding?

Stunning Beach Locations: Goa's extensive coastline boasts numerous beautiful beaches that provide the ideal backdrop for flyboarding. From the lively shores of Calangute and Baga to the tranquil settings of Palolem, you have plenty of options to choose from.

Affordable Adventure: Flyboard Goa is surprisingly affordable, making it accessible to a wide range of travellers. Prices typically range from 2,000 to 4,000 Indian Rupees for a 15-minute session, making it a budget-friendly adventure.

Expert Guidance: Certified instructors provide comprehensive safety briefings and expert guidance to ensure a safe and enjoyable flyboarding experience. Even if you're a beginner, you'll receive the support you need to take to the skies.

Thrills and Scenic Views: The sensation of flying above the pristine waters of the Arabian Sea is unmatched. The stunning views of Goa's coastline from your flyboard are guaranteed to leave you in awe.

Memorable Holidays: Goa's warm climate, laid-back atmosphere, and friendly locals create the perfect environment for a memorable holiday. Combining flyboarding with your Christmas celebrations or any other special occasion can turn your vacation into an extraordinary experience.

Christmas By The Beach With Flyboard Goa

Now, imagine capping off your exhilarating flyboarding adventure with a Christmas celebration like no other. After your heart-pounding session, you can unwind on the sandy shores of Goa, sipping on refreshing coconut water and savoring delectable local seafood. The laid-back atmosphere, warm climate, and welcoming locals create the ideal setting for a Christmas to remember.

>> What time is flyboarding in Goa?

Where To Experience Fly Boarding In Goa?

Flyboarding is an exciting water sport that you can experience at several popular beaches along the coastline of Goa. Each of these locations provides a unique backdrop for your flyboarding adventure. Here are some of the top places to experience flyboarding in Goa:

Calangute Beach: Calangute is one of the most famous and vibrant beaches in North Goa. Its popularity makes it an ideal spot for flyboarding, as you can enjoy this thrilling experience amidst the lively atmosphere and scenic beauty. The beach's buzzing surroundings add an extra element of excitement to your flyboarding adventure.

Baga Beach: Just a short distance from Calangute, Baga Beach is another fantastic location for flyboarding. It's known for its happening nightlife, water sports, and fantastic views. The proximity to Calangute means you can easily hop from one beach to another and enjoy a range of activities.

Anjuna Beach: Anjuna Beach, with its bohemian and laid-back atmosphere, offers a unique setting for flyboarding. Surrounded by rocky cliffs and serene vistas, Anjuna is a popular choice for those looking to combine adventure with a tranquil environment.

Palolem Beach: Located in South Goa, Palolem Beach is famous for its crescent-shaped shoreline, clear waters, and a more serene atmosphere compared to the busier North Goa beaches. If you prefer a quieter and less crowded setting for your flyboarding experience, Palolem is an excellent choice.

Candolim Beach: Candolim is another North Goa beach that has gained recognition for its water sports offerings, including flyboarding. The beach is relatively less crowded than Calangute and Baga, making it a great place to enjoy this thrilling activity.

>> Where can I celebrate new year in Goa?

Navigating The Waves: Flyboard Goa Price Guide

"Is this heart-pounding experience going to break the bank?" is probably what's on your mind right now. The good news is that flyboarding in Goa can be done for a very reasonable price. Flyboard Goa price typically ranges from just 2000 to 3000 INR for a 10-15 minute session, making it accessible for most travellers. Your dream of flying like a superhero doesn't have to be a budget-buster!

>> Suggested Read: What is the price of paragliding in Goa?

Fly Boarding In Goa: The Ultimate Thrill Awaits You

So, this Christmas, why not break free from tradition and embrace the thrill of flyboarding in the sun-soaked haven of Goa? With its affordability, multiple locations, and the electrifying feeling of soaring over the sea, fly board in Goa is the perfect way to infuse your holiday season with a sense of wonder and adventure. Make this Christmas extraordinary as you take to the skies in the radiant paradise of Goa, where the magic of Christmas meets the thrill of flyboarding. 

Fly high and let Goa be your Christmas adventure destination!

[adventure1234567]

Leh Ladakh Bike Trip

A Ladakh bike tour is a popular adventure activity that involves riding a motorcycle through the scenic and rugged terrain of Ladakh, a high-altitude region in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The tour typically starts from the city of Leh and covers some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the region, including mountain passes, high-altitude lakes, and remote villages.

To go on a Ladakh bike tour, you will need to have a valid motorcycle licence and a good quality bike that is suitable for the terrain. You should also have some prior experience in riding motorcycles on rough roads.

The best time to go on a Ladakh bike tour is during the summer months of June to September when the weather is pleasant and the roads are mostly clear of snow. However, it is important to note that the region is prone to sudden changes in weather, and riders should be prepared for all kinds of conditions.

Some popular destinations that are covered in a Ladakh bike tour include the Khardung La Pass, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso Lake, and the Zanskar Valley. It is important to plan your trip carefully and make sure you have enough time to cover all the places you want to visit.

In addition to the breathtaking scenery, a Ladakh bike tour offers a unique cultural experience, as riders get to interact with the local people and learn about their way of life. However, it is important to respect the local customs and traditions and behave responsibly while on the tour.

Ladakh Bike Trip Package

Ladakh is a region located in the northernmost part of India, bordering Tibet. It is known for its stunning natural landscapes, mountain ranges, and unique culture. Ladakh Bike trip packages are a popular way to explore the region, with many adventure tour companies offering organised packages. Some of the common destinations covered in a Ladakh bike trip include:

Leh

The capital of Ladakh, Leh is a popular starting point for most Leh bike trips. It is a historic town located at an altitude of over 11,000 feet and is known for its stunning views of the Himalayan ranges.

Nubra Valley

This valley is located north of Leh and is famous for its scenic beauty, including sand dunes, monasteries, and hot springs.

Pangong Lake

This lake is located at an altitude of over 14,000 feet and is known for its crystal-clear waters and breathtaking views.

Khardung La

This mountain pass is one of the highest motorable roads in the world and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

When planning a bike trip to Ladakh, it is important to keep in mind that the region is located at high altitude and may require some acclimatisation. It is also important to ensure that you have the necessary permits and documents for travel in the region.

[alwaysbewoke]

In 1930 Bessie Stringfield became the first black woman to ride her motorcycle across the United States solo. Her feat was credited with breaking down barriers for both women and African-American motorcyclists. Born Betsy Leonora Ellis on February 9, 1911, in Kingston, 🇯🇲 Jamaica, she was the daughter of Maria Ellis, a domestic servant, and James Ferguson, her employer. Betsy and her parents migrated to Boston, Massachusetts but both died of smallpox. Orphaned when Betsy was five years old, she was adopted by a wealthy Irish woman who raised her as a Catholic. It is unclear when and why Bessie rather than Betsy became her given name. On Bessie’s sixteenth birthday, her mother gave her a motorcycle, “even though good girls didn’t ride motorcycles.” In 1927 Ellis climbed aboard her first bike, an Indian Scout. Although she had no prior knowledge of operating the controls, she started the motorcycle and easily mastered it. Between the 1930s and the early 1940s, Ellis made eight long-distance solo rides across the United States. During this time, she earned money from performing motorcycle stunts in carnival shows. Due to her skin color, Ellis was often denied accommodations while traveling and was forced to sleep on her motorcycle at gasoline stations. During World War II, Bessie Ellis worked for the U.S. Army as a civilian motorcycle dispatch rider, carrying documents between domestic bases on her Harley-Davidson bike. The only woman in her unit, she completed rigorous training maneuvers including learning how to weave a makeshift bridge from rope and tree limbs to cross swamps. Ellis regularly encountered racial prejudice while on the road. Once she was followed by a man in a pickup truck who deliberately ran her into a ditch, violently knocking her off her bike. In between her travels, Ellis wed and divorced six times. After she and her first husband were deeply saddened by the loss of three babies, she had no more children. Upon divorcing her third husband, Arthur Stringfield, she said, “He asked me to keep his name because I’d made it famous!” By the early 1950s, she ended her motorcycle odysseys across the United States and became a nurse.

[ridingyogi]

A haritage village of Nagaland.

[cielrouge]

YA SFF Books by Asian Authors

Ash by Malinda Lo: In this variation on the Cinderella story, Ash grows up believing in the fairy realm that the king and his philosophers have sought to suppress, until one day she must choose between a handsome fairy cursed to love her and the King’s Huntress whom she loves.

Along the Indigo by Elsie Chapman: Marsden yearns to take her sister and escape Glory, a town famous for seedy businesses, but her friendship with Jude yields secrets that may chain them to the Indigo River forever.

Alpha Goddess by Amalie Howard:  In this sci-fi retelling of Ramayana, Sera is a Hindu goddess incarnate and must battle between her good and evil sides in order to save the world from becoming hell on earth.

Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days #1) by Susan Ee: It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her 17-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back. Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel, Raffe. 

The Archer at Dawn (The Tiger at Midnight #2) by Swati Teerdhala: Set in an Indian & Hindu-inspired world, long-held secrets will force Kunal and Esha to reconsider their loyalties—to their country and to each other.

The Athena Protocol by Shamim Sarif: After being fired from the Athena Protocol, an organization of female spies who enact vigilante justice, Jessie Archer investigates a human trafficking case in Belgrade, while her former teammates have been tasked with bringing her down.

Blood of a Thousand Stars (Empress of a Thousand Skies #2) by Rhoda Belleza: Rhee risks her crown to negotiate peace terms with villainous media star Nero, while framed assassin Aly plots revenge and Kara seeks technology that will erase her royal past.

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco: Tea’s gift for death magic means that she is a bone witch, a title that makes her feared and ostracized by her community, but when an older bone witch trains her to become an asha - one who can wield elemental magic - Tea will have to overcome her obstacles and make a powerful choice in the face of danger as dark forces approach.

The Bronzed Beasts (The Gilded Wolves #3) by Roshani Chokshi: With only ten days until Laila expires, the crew will face plague pits and deadly masquerades, unearthly songs, and the shining steps of a temple whose powers might offer divinity itself, but at a price they may not be willing to pay.

The Beast Player by Nahoko Uehashi: An epic YA fantasy about a girl with a special power to communicate with magical beasts and the warring kingdom only she can save.

The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh: In 19th century New Orleans where vampires hide in plain sight, half-Asian Celine Rosseau, a dressmaker from Paris, becomes embroiled in a murder mystery, connected to the glamorous supernatural cohort, known as the Court of Lions, and catching the eye of their mysterious, charismatic leader, Sèbastien Saint Germain.

Broken Web (Shamanborn #2) by Lori M. Lee: With Queen Meilyr bent on destroying the magical kingdoms, Sirscha becomes caught between a war in the east and the Soulless in the west.

The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad: Set in the city of Noor, along the Silk Road which has become a refuge for those of all faiths, Fatima becomes embroiled in a war between two clans of powerful djinn who threaten to destroy her peace in different ways, forcing her to make unlikely alliances to survive.

Caster by Elsie Chapman: In this Chinese-inspired, magical Fight Club, Earth is already at the brink of environmental disaster due to the magic overuse. And 16-year-old spell caster Aza Wu must navigate through an illegal, underground battle magic tournament, while evading local gangs and police scouts to save her family from ruin.

Catalyst by Lydia Kang: Zelia Benten has lost her father, the love of her life, and any future she might have imagined for herself. Now she, her sister, and the band of illegal genetic outcasts they’ve come to call their family are forced to run when the safety of their foster home is compromised.

A Clash of Steel (A Treasure Island Remix) by C.B. Lee: Set in 1820s China, Xiah joins Anh and her motley crew in pursuit of the hidden treasure of the legendary Dragon Fleet.

Chainbreaker (Timekeeper #2) by Tara Sim: In 1876, someone is destroying the clock towers that control India’s time. Teenage mechanics Danny Hart and half-white, half-Indian Daphne Richards as they travel to Agra to investigate a series of clock tower bombings.

The Chariot at Dusk (Tiger at Midnight #3) by Swati Teerdhala: In the final book of this epic fantasy trilogy, the lands’ fate, their people’s livelihoods, and the bond that sustains their world all depend on what Kunal and Esha can offer—to the gods and to each other.

Champion (Legend #3) by Marie Lu: June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic--and each other--and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. Just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic's border cities.

Circle of Shadows by Evelyn Skye: Love, spies, and adventure abound as apprentice warriors Sora and Daemon unravel a complex web of magic and secrets that might tear them—and the entire kingdom—apart forever.

Control by Lydia Kang: In 2150, when genetic manipulation has been outlawed, seventeen-year-old Zelia must rescue her kidnapped sister with the help of a band of outcasts with mutated genes.

Court of Lions (Mirage #2) by Somaiya Daud: After being swept up into the brutal Vathek court, Amani, the ordinary girl forced to serve as the half-Vathek princess Maram’s body double, is desperate to continue helping the rebellion But can she bear to remain separated, forever, from Maram's fiancé, Idris? 

Cross Fire (Exo #2) by Fonda Lee: When the peaceful alien-run government withdraws from Earth, it seems that the terrorist group Sapience is going to get the "free" Earth it wanted; but Donovan Reyes, member of the security forces, and once a prisoner of Sapience, realizes that freedom comes with a price. 

The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye: Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia. The Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death. 

The Crown’s Fate (The Crown’s Game #2) by Evelyn Skye: Vika struggles with dangers in her new role as the Imperial Enchanter while Pasha faces disputes about his legitimacy and Nikolai considers how far he is willing to go to return to the world.

A Crown of Wishes (Star-Touched Queen #2) by Roshani Chokshi:  Gauri, princess of Bharata, has been captured by her kingdom's enemies and faces a future of exile and scorn--she has nothing left to lose. But Vikram, the notoriously cunning prince of a neighboring land, promises her freedom in exchange for her partnership on his team to win the Tournament of Wishes.

The Damned (The Beautiful #2) by Renée Ahdieh: Sébastien Saint Germain is now cursed and forever changed. The price of loving Celine Rousseau was costly. But as Bastien and Celine begin to uncover the danger around them, they learn their love could tear them apart.

Dark Goddess (Alpha Goddess #2) by Amalie Howard:  In this Indian-inspired fantasy, a girl who is the avatar of the goddess Lakshmi must work to prevent the apocalypse at the hands of demons. 

Dark Goddess (Templar Chronicles #2) by Sarwat Chadda: Billi SanGreal, a teenaged member of the Knights Templar, must prevent a young girl, who is being hunted by werewolves because of the dangerous powers she possesses, from falling into the hands of the ancient Russian witch, Baba Yaga.

Daughter of Dusk (Midnight Thief #2) by Livia Blackburne: After learning the truth about her bloodlines, Kyra can’t help but feel like a monster. As tensions rise within Forge’s Council, and a vicious Demon Rider attacks continue in surrounding villages, Kyra knows she must do something to save her city. 

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He: In this Chinese-inspired fantasy, Princess Hesina of Yan is thrust into power when her beloved father is murdered, and she’s determined to find his killer–whatever the cost.

The Devil’s Kiss (Templar Chronicles #1) by Sarwat Chadda: 15-year-old Billi SanGreal has grown up knowing that being a member of the Knights Templar puts her in danger, but if she is to save London from catastrophe she must make sacrifices greater than she imagined.

The Devil’s Thief (The Last Magician #2) by Lisa Maxwell: Esta and Harte set off on a cross-country chase through time to steal back the elemental stones they need to save the future of magic.

Divided (Dualed #2) by Elsie Chapman:  When the Board goes after West Grayer for refusing to kill her next target, West must uncover the truth of the past to survive.

Dove Arising by Karen Bao: On a lunar colony, 15-old Phaet Theta does the unthinkable and joins the Militia when her mother is imprisoned by the Moon's oppressive government. 

Dove Exiled (Dove Chronicles #2) by Karen Bao: Phaet’s past catches up with her when the Lunar Bases attack the community and reveal that Phaet is a fugitive. She’s torn between staying on Earth with Wes—whom she’s just discovered her feelings for—and stowing away on a Moon-bound ship to rescue her siblings.

Dove Alight (Dove Chronicles #3) by Karen Bao: Shy, introverted Phaet Theta has gone from being a top student to an interplanetary fugitive to the reluctant but fierce leader of a revolution. But as the death tolls rise, the cost of the war weighs heavily on Phaet. Phaet started this war because she lost someone she loved. Will she have to lose another to end it?

Eclipse the Stars by Maura Milan: Criminal mastermind and unrivaled pilot Ia Ccha and her allies make unpredictable choices as they fight to keep darkness from eclipsing the skies.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir: Set in a terrifyingly brutal Rome-like world, An Ember in the Ashes is an epic fantasy debut about an orphan, Laia, fighting for her family and a soldier, Elias, fighting for his freedom.

Empress of All Seasons by Emiko Jean: During a once-in-a-generation competition to find the new empress, Mari, who hides a terrible secret, Taro, the prince who would denounce the imperial throne, and Akira, a half-human outcast, will decide the fate of Honoku.

Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza: Two sisters, Rhee and Kara—sole survivors of a murdered royal lineage - must reunite from opposite ends of the galaxy to salvage what’s left of their family dynasty and save the universe from a greater threat.

End of Days (Penryn & The End of Days #3) by Susan Ee: After a daring escape, Penryn and Raffe are on the run, but a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all. When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?

The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee: 15-year-old Genie Lo wonders if she’s qualified enough to gain admission to an Ivy League school, then becomes powerful enough to break through the gates of Heaven with her fists.

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa: Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allison Sekemoto will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what Allie finds there will change the world forever--and possibly end human and vampire existence.

The Ever Cruel Kingdom (The Never Tilting World #2) by Rin Chupeco: To break the cycle of sacrifice, twins Haidee and Odessa need answers that lie beyond the seven gates of the underworld, within the Cruel Kingdom itself. The shadows of the underworld may hunger to tear them apart, but these two sisters are determined to heal their world—together.

Exo by Fonda Lee: For a century now, Earth has been a peaceful colony of an alien race, and Donovan Reyes is a loyal member of the security forces, while his father is the Prime Liaison–but when a routine search and seizure goes bad Donovan finds himself a captive of the human revolutionary group, Sapience, terrorists who seem to prefer war to alien rule, and killing Donovan just might be the incident they are looking for.

Fair Coin by E.C. Myers: When evil versions of himself and best friend Nate appear one day, teenaged Ephraim embarks on a dangerous odyssey through parallel worlds to make things right.

Firestarter (Timekeeper #3) by Tara Sim: Colton, Daphne, and the others must choose between those striving to take down the world’s clock towers so that time can run freely, and terrorists trying to bring back the lost god of time.

Five Dark Fates (Three Dark Crowns #4) by Kendare Blake: In this conclusion to the Three Dark Crowns series, three dark sisters will rise to fight as the secrets of Fennbirn’s history are laid bare. Allegiances will shift. Bonds will be tested, and some broken forever.

Flame in the Mist by Renee Adhieh: The daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko is promised to Minamoto Raiden. But en route to the imperial city of Inako, Mariko narrowly escapes a bloody ambush by the Black Clan. Dressed as a peasant boy, Mariko sets out to infiltrate the ranks of this gang. But she’s quickly captured and taken to the Black Clan’s secret hideout, where she meets their leader, the rebel ronin Takeda Ranmaru. 

For A Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig: 16-year-old shadow puppeteer Jetta Chantray performs with her family’s traveling troupe, the Ros Nai. But as rebellion seethes and as Jetta meets a young smuggler, she will face truths and decisions that she never imagined—and safety will never seem so far away.

Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee: Sirscha Ashwyn, while training to become the queen’s next royal spy, discovers she’s a rare and powerful lightwender and is summoned to the realm of the Spider King, where her newly awakened abilities are needed to cull the bloodthirsty Dead Wood.

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao: A reimagining of the evil queen from Snow White based on Asian mythology in which 18-year-old Xifeng must unleash a jealous god on the world and set free the viciousness of her own soul in order to become Empress.

The Forever Song (Blood of Eden #3) by Julie Kagawa: Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren. But Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions as his trail leads straight to the one place they must protect at any cost -- the last vampire-free zone on Earth.

Fury of the Phoenix (Kingdom of Xia #2) by Cindy Pon: When Ai Ling leaves her home and family to accompany Chen Yong on his quest to find his father, haunted by the ancient evil she thought she had banished to the underworld, she must use her growing supernatural powers to save Chen Yong from the curses that follow her.

Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee: A teenage girl must keep her ability to manipulate the threads of time a secret, but when her brother goes missing, she risks getting caught up in a revolution in order to save him.

Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta: Eris Shindanai and Sona Steelcrest, two girls on opposite sides of a war fought with Windups, giant mechanizes weapons, discover they’re fighting for a common purpose–and falling for each other.

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi: Paris, 1889: Treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier, Séverin Montagnet-Alarie gets the chance of a lifetime when the all-powerful society, the Order of Babel, seeks him out for help in exchange for a priceless treasure: his true inheritance.

The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig: From modern-day New York City to nineteenth-century Hawaii to places of myth and legend, 16-year-old Nix has sailed across the globe and through centuries aboard her time-traveling father’s ship. But when he gambles with her very existence, it all may be about to end.

The Girl From the Well by Rin Chupeco: Okiku has wandered the world for centuries, but when she meets Tark she knows the moody teen with the series of intricate tattoos is not a monster and needs to be freed from the demonic malevolence that clings to him.

The Girl King by Mimi Yu: Sisters Lu and Min become unwitting rivals in a war to claim the title of Emperor.

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust: As the day of her twin brother’s wedding approaches, Princess Soraya must decide if she’s willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time.

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan: When Lei, seventeen, is stolen from her home to become one of nine Paper Girls, the Demon King's concubines, she proves to be more fire than paper.

Girls of Storm and Shadow (Girls of Paper and Fire #2) by Natasha Ngan: After escaping the Hidden Palace, Lei and her warrior love Wren must travel the kingdom to gain support from the far-flung rebel clans.

Girls of Fate and Fury (Girls of Paper and Fire #3) by Natasha Ngan: The last Lei saw of the girl she loved, Wren, was fighting an army of soldiers in a furious battle to the death. With the two girls torn apart and each in terrorizing peril, will they find each other again or have their destinies diverged forever.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh: A feminist retelling of the Korean folktale The Tale of Shim Cheong, set in a town where every year a girl is sacrificed to the sea to stop torrential rains, but when a brave teen girl dives in herself to protect a loved one, she discovers a spirit kingdom in need of saving.

The Great Destroyers by Caroline Tung Richmond: set in alt-history, 1960s America where WWI & WII were fought with giant mechs, biracial Chinese American teen Jo Linden is Team USA’s most unlikely pick in the annual Pax Games, an Olympic-style competition that pits mecha pilots against each other.

The Heartforger (Bone Witch #2) by Rin Chupeco: With a thirst for vengeance, a band of terrifying daeva at her command, and her resurrected lover Kalen by her side, dark asha Tea is ready to face her adversaries.

A House of Rage and Sorrow (Celestial Trilogy #2) by Sangu Mandanna: As gods, beasts, and kingdoms choose sides, Alexi seeks out a weapon more devastating than even Titania. The House of Rey is at war. And the entire galaxy will bleed before the end.

Huntress by Malinda Lo: 17-year-olds Kaede and Taisin are called to go on a dangerous and unprecedented journey to Tanlili, the city of the Fairy Queen, in an effort to restore the balance of nature in the human world.

Ignite the Stars by Maura Milan: When outlaw Ia Ccha is captured by the Olympus Commonwealth and revealed to be a 16-year-old girl, they force her to serve them by joining the Commonwealth's military academy where new acquaintances cause Ia to question her own alliances.

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa: Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city, until she too becomes an immortal vampire. Forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls, she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend -- a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

Inferno (Talon #5) by Julie Kagawa: Ember Hill has learned a shocking truth about herself: she is the blood of the Elder Wyrm, the ancient dragon who leads Talon and who is on the verge of world domination. With the stakes rising and the Elder Wyrm declaring war, time is running out for the rogues and any dragon not allied with Talon. The final battle approaches. And if Talon is victorious, the world will burn.

The Infinity Courts by Akemi Dawn Bowman: Japanese American teen Nami Miyamoto finds herself in a limitless world where the human consciousness goes after death, where she battles an AI entity posing as a queen that has hacked its way into the afterlife.

Isle of Blood and Stone by Makiia Lucier: Mysterious maps from opposite ends of the sea cast doubt on the whereabouts of two princes, presumed dead.

Jade Fire Gold by June C.L. Tan: A debut fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology, in which peasant girl Anh, cursed with the power to steal souls enters a tenuous alliance with exiled prince Altan, bent on taking back the dragon throne, and save the empire from a cult of dangerous priests.

Journey to the Heart of the Abyss (Light in the Abyss #2) by London Shah: Leyla McQueen has finally reunited with her father after breaking him out of Broadmoor, the illegal government prison—but his freedom comes at a terrible cost. As Leyla celebrates his return, she must grapple with the pain of losing Ari. Now labeled the nation’s number one enemy, Leyla must risk illegal travel through unchartered waters for the truth behind her father’s arrest.

Hunted by the Sky by Tanaz Bhathena: Set in a world inspired by medieval India, the story tells of a girl, Gul, with a star-shaped birthmark who is prophesied to be the downfall of a tyrant king, the warrior women who come to her aid, and the boy she falls in love with.

The Keeper of the Night by Kylie Lee Baker: set in 1890s Japan, half-British reaper, half-Japanese Shinigami Ren Scarborough flees London and enters the Japanese underworld under the service of Izanami, the goddess of death.

King (Dragon King Chronicles #3) by Ellen Oh: Girl warrior, demon slayer, Tiger spirit of the Yellow Eyes - Kira is ready for her final quest! She must save her cousin, the boy fated to be the future king, uncover the third lost treasure, and face innumerable enemies in order to fulfill the famed prophecy.

A Kingdom for the Stage (For A Muse of Fire #2) by Heidi Heilig: The rebels are eager to use Le Trépas’s and necromancer Jetta’s combined magic against the invading colonists. Soon Jetta will face the choice between saving all of Chakrana or becoming like her father, and she isn’t sure which she’ll choose.

Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix (Rise of the Empress #2) by Julie C. Dao: Princess Jade has grown up in exile while her stepmother, the ruthless Xifeng, rules Feng Lu. Ready to reclaim her place, Jade embarks on a quest to raise the Dragon Lords and defeat Xifeng and the Serpent God once and for all.

Legend by Marie Lu: In a dark future, when North America has split into two warring nations, 15-year-olds Day, a famous criminal, and prodigy June, the brilliant soldier hired to capture him, discover that they have a common enemy.

Legion (Talon #4) by Julie Kagawa: The legions are about to be unleashed, and no human, rogue dragon or former dragon slayer can stand against the coming horde in book 4 out of the Talon series.

The Library of Fates by Aditi Khorana: Amrita must unravel the mysteries of her past to save her kingdom, but in doing so, she herself might come unraveled.

The Light At the Bottom of the World by London Shah: Set in a future where the Earth is underwater, Leyla McQueen must navigate the treacherous abyss to find her missing father, but discovers a world drowning in lies.

Live in Infamy by Caroline Tung Richmond: 80 years since the Axis won World War II, and America was divided between the victors: the Nazis in the East and Imperial Japan in the West; but now resistance is growing in the Eastern territories and 16-year-old Chinese American Ren Cabot finds himself drawn into a resistance group. 

The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna: 15-year-old Eva is the clone of a girl living far, far away on another continent--and when this 'other' dies, Eva must step in and take over her life.

The Infinite (Gates of Thread and Stone #2) by Lori M. Lee: Kai always believed the only danger to the city came from within. Now, with a rebel force threatening the fragile government, the walls have become more of a prison than ever. To make matters worse, as Avan explores his new identity as an Infinite, Kai struggles to remind him what it means to be human. 

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao: blending Chinese history and mecha science, Wu Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister’s death. Features a poly F/M/M main romance.

The Iron Will of Genie Lo (Epic Crush of Genie Lo #2) by F.C. Yee: Along with a few other contenders for the throne,  heaven-appointed guardian Genie and her friends embark on a Heavenly quest to an in-between world.

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen: An intergenerational story of a mother and son struggling to relate to each other—the mother an immigrant to America who wants to make a home for her family in an unfamiliar country; the son Tiế  trying to figure out the best way to come out to his parents. Through telling each other fairy tales, they’re able to find common ground.

The Magnolia Sword: A Ballad of Mulan by Sherry Thomas: When her ailing father is conscripted to fight invaders from the north, Mulan dresses as a man to take his place in the army, but an old enemy and an attraction for her troop's commander complicate her mission.

The Memory Keepers by Natasha Ngan: Seven is a thief with a difference - he steals downloadable memories from banks and memoriums to sell onto London’s black market. But one night, as Seven is breaking into a private memorium in a wealthy part of London, he is caught in the act by one of its residents; Alba, the teenage daughter of London’s most famous criminal prosecutor. 

The Memory Key by Liana Liu: In the not-so-distant future, everyone is implanted with a memory key to stave off a virulent form of Alzeimer's. Lora Mint fears her memories of her deceased mother are fading, but when her memory key is damaged she has perfect recall--of everything-- which brings her mother's memory vividly back--but may also drive Lora mad. 

The Mermaid, The Witch, and The Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall: A desperate orphan turned pirate, Flora, and a rebellious imperial daughter, Lady Evelyn Hasegawa, find a connection on the high seas abroad the Dove, in a world divided by colonialism and threaded with magic.

The Midnight Star (Young Elites #3) by Marie Lu:  Adelina is forced to revisit old wounds when a new danger appears, putting not only Adelina at risk, but every Elite. In order to save herself and preserve her empire, Adelina and her Roses must join the Daggers on a perilous quest—though this uneasy alliance may prove to be the real danger.

The Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne: Kyra, a highly skilled 17-year-old thief, joins a guild of assassins with questionable motives. Tristam, a young knight, fights against the vicious Demon Riders that are ravaging the city. 

Mirage by Somaiya Daud: In a star system dominated by the brutal Vathek empire, 18-year-old Amani is forced to work as a body double for the princess who is hated by her conquered people.

The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco: In  a world ruled by goddesses that has been split in two—one half existing in perpetual scorching Day, the other in freezing Night—twins separated at birth Odessa and Haidee embark on a quest across the great divide and rule a reunited world.

Mooncakes by Wendy Xu & Suzanne Walker: Teen witch Nova Huang runs into her childhood crush, Tam Lang, battling a horse demon in the woods. Pursued by dark forces eager to claim the magic of wolves and out of options, Tam turns to Nova for help. 

Moribito, Guardian of the Spirit by Nahoko Uehashi: The wandering warrior Balsa is hired to protect Prince Chagum from both a mysterious monster and the prince's father, the Mikado.

Moribito II, Guardian of the Darkness by Nahoko Uehashi: The wandering female bodyguard Balsa returns to her native country of Kanbal, where she uncovers a conspiracy to frame her mentor and herself.

Night of the Dragon (Shadow of the Fox #3) by Julie Kagawa: As darkness rises and chaos reigns,  fierce kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko and her shadowy protector Kage Tatsumi, will face down the greatest evil of all.

Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee: Resigned to a life without superpowers in a world full of them, Jess takes a paid internship where she helps a heinous supervillain and works with her longtime crush Abby, but stumbles on a massive plot.

Not Your Villain (Sidekick Squad #2) by C.B. Lee: After discovering a massive cover-up by the Heroes’ League of Heroes, shapeshifter Bells Broussard and his friends Jess, Emma, and Abby set off on a secret mission to find the Resistance.

Not Your Backup by C.B. Lee (Sidekick Squad #3): As the Resistance moves to challenge the corrupt League of Heroes, Emma Robledo realizes where her place is in this fight: at the front.

On This Unworthy Scaffold (Shadow Players #3) by Heidi Heilig: Jetta’s home is spiraling into civil war.Le Trépas—the deadly necromancer—has used his blood magic to wrest control of the country. Meanwhile, Jetta’s love interest, brother, and friend are intent on infiltrating the palace to stop the Boy King and find Le Trépas to put an end to the unleashed chaos.

The Only Thing to Fear by Caroline Tung Richmond: After 70 years since Hitler's armies won the war, 16-year-old Zara St. James lives in the Shenandoah hills, part of the Eastern American Territories, under the rule of the Nazis--but a resistance movement is growing. 

The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He: In a near future when life is harsh outside of Earth’s last unpolluted place, Cee tries to leave an abandoned island while her sister, STEM prodigy Kasey Mizuhara, seeks escape from the science and home she once trusted.

One Dark Throne (Three Dark Crowns #2) by Kendare Blake: Preparing for the queens' sixteenth birthday celebration and navigating the fallout of the Quickening, sisters Arsinoe, Katharine, and Mirabella reassess their strategic paths to the throne using new understandings of their powers and destinies.

Our Violent Ends (These Violent Delights #2) by Chloe Gong: In 1927, Shanghai tethers on the edge of revolution. After sacrificing her relationship with Roma to protect him from the blood feud, Juliette has been a girl on the warpath. Then a new monstrous danger emerges in the city, and while secrets keep them apart, Juliette must secure Roma’s cooperation if they are to end this threat.

Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu: June and Day make their way to Las Vegas where they join the rebel Patriot group and become involved in an assassination plot against the Elector in hopes of saving the Republic.

Quantum Coin (Fair Coin #2) by E.C. Myers: Ephraim, Jena, and Zoe embark on a mission across multiple worlds to learn what's going wrong and how to stop it. They will have to draw on every resource available and trust in alternate versions of themselves and their friends, before it's too late for all of them.

Ravage the Dark (Scavenge the Stars #2) by Tara Sim: After escaping the city of Moray, Amaya and Cayo head to the port city of Baleine to find the mysterious Benefactor and put a stop to the counterfeit currency that is spreading Ash Fever throughout the kingdoms.

The Reader by Traci Chee:  Set in a world where reading is unheard-of, Sefia makes use of a mysterious object to track down who kidnapped her aunt Nin and what really happened the night her father was murdered.

A Reaper At the Gates (An Ember in the Ashes #3) by Sabaa Tahir: Beyond the Empire and within it, the threat of war looms ever larger as the Blood Shrike, Helene Aquilla, Laia of Serra, and Elias Veturius all face increasing dangers.

Rebel (Legend #4) by Marie Lu: Brothers Eden and Daniel Wing struggle to accept who they’ve each become since their time in the Republic, but a new danger creeps into the distance that’s grown between them. Eden soon finds himself drawn so far into Ross City’s dark side, even his legendary brother can’t save him. At least not on his own.

Rebelwing by Andrea Tang: At a prestigious prep school, scholastic student Prudence Wu, who smuggles censored media in a futuristic North America divided by culture wars and becomes an unlikely revolutionary, after being imprinted by Rebelwing, a sentient cybernetic dragon.

Renegade Flight (Rebelwing #2) by Andrea Tang: Pilot-in-training Viola Park, a probationary student at GAN Academy, enters a mech combat tournament that becomes a fight for the future of Peacekeepers everywhere.

Rising Like a Storm (The Wrath of Ambar #2) by Tanaz Bhathena: Gul and Cavas must unite their magical forces―and hold onto their growing romance―to save their kingdom from tyranny.

The Righteous (The Beautiful #3) by Renée Ahdieh: Pippa Montrose is tired of losing everything she loves. When her best friend Celine disappears under mysterious circumstances, Pippa resolves to find her, even if the journey takes her into the dangerous world of the fae, where she might find more than she bargained for in the charismatic Arjun Desai.

The Rise of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee: The never-before-told backstory of Avatar Kyoshi, from a girl of humble origins to the merciless pursuer of justice who is still feared and admired centuries after she became the Avatar.

Rogue (Talon #2) by Julie Kagawa: Unable to forget the human boy who saved her from a Talon assassin, Ember is determined to save him from execution with the help of rebel dragon Cobalt and his crew of rogues.

Rogue Heart (Rebel Seoul #2) by Axie Oh: Two years after the Battle of Neo Seoul, telepath Ama must use her telepathic abilities to infiltrate the base of the Alliance’s new war commander, Alex Kim, her first love who betrayed her.

The Rose and the Dagger (Wrath and the Dawn #2) by Renee Adhieh: Unsure who to trust, Shahrzad takes matters into her own hands to try and break the curse and reunite with her one true love.

The Rose Society (Young Elites #2) by Marie Lu: Adelina Amouteru’s heart has suffered at the hands of both family and friends, turning her down the bitter path of revenge. Now known and feared as the White Wolf, she and her sister flee Kenettra to find other Young Elites in the hopes of building her own army of allies. Her goal: to strike down the Inquisition Axis.

Ruse (Want #2) by Cindy Pon: In near-future Shanghai where society is divided between the fabulously wealthy business elite and the masses they exploit, Jason Zhou must play a dangerous cat and mouse game with the ruthless CEO of an all powerful corporation which has an ever-growing choke hold on the polluted metropolis.

Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim: In the city-state of Moray, Amaya, orphaned by a powerful merchant’s greed and condemned to seven years aboard a debtor’s ship, returns to seek revenge only to encounter the merchant’s son in this gender-swapped retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo.

Serpentine by Cindy Pon: Although 16-year-old Skybright feels lucky to be the handmaid and companion to the daughter of a wealthy family, she is hiding a secret that threatens to destroy her position and her closest relationships.

Sacrifice (Serpertine #2) by Cindy Pon: When Zhen Ni discovers that her new husband, the strange and brutish Master Hou, may not be all he seems, Skybright and Stone must travel through the terrifying underworld to save her.

Seven Deadly Shadows by Courtney Alameda & Valynne Maetani: Set in contemporary Japan, Shinto temple priestess Kira Fujikawa, must seek the aid of seven ruthless shinigami, in order to protect Kyoto from an ancient evil.

Shatter the Sky by Rebecca Kim Wells: Maren, desperate to save her kidnapped girlfriend Kaia, plans to steal one of the emperor’s dragons and storm the Aurati stronghold, but her success depends on becoming an apprentice to the mysterious dragon trainer, which proves to be a dangerous venture.

Talon by Julie Kagawa: In a world in which near-extinct dragons pass as humans to grow their numbers secretly, siblings Ember and Dante Hill prepare for destined positions in the world of Talon only to be hunted by a dragon-slaying soldier.

The Ship Beyond Time (Girl From Everywhere #2) by Heidi Heilig: Nix has escaped her past, but when the person she loves most is at risk, even the daughter of a time traveler may not be able to outrun her fate—no matter where she goes.

The Shadow Mission (The Athena Protocol #2) by Shamim Sharif: Jessie Archer faced down death to prove her dedication to Athena, the elite organization of female spies she works for. Now she’s back on the team, in time to head to Pakistan to take down the man whose actions spurred Athena’s founders to create the secretive squad. 

The Shadow of Kyoshi (Kyoshi #2) by F.C. Yee: Kyoshi’s place as the true Avatar has finally been cemented. With her mentors gone, Kyoshi voyages across the Four Nations, struggling to keep the peace. But while her reputation grows, a mysterious threat emerges from the Spirit World. To stop it, Kyoshi, Rangi, and their reluctant allies must join forces.

Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa: Demons have burned the temple Yumeko was raised in to the ground, killing everyone within, including the master who trained her to both use and hide her kitsune shapeshifting powers. Yumeko escapes with the temple’s greatest treasure—one part of the ancient scroll. Fate thrusts her into the path of a mysterious samurai, Kage Tatsumi of the Shadow Clan. Yumeko knows he seeks what she has…and is under orders to kill anything and anyone who stands between him and the scroll.

Shadow Girl by Liana Liu: When Mei arrives at the beautiful home on Arrow Island, she can't help feeling relieved. She's happy to spend the summer tutoring a rich man's daughter if it means a break from her normal life. Yet she can't shake her fear that there is danger lurking in the shadows of this beautiful house, a darkness that could destroy the family inside and out...and Mei along with them. 

Shadowsong (Wintersong #2) by S. Jae-Jones: Liesl is working toward furthering both her brother’s and her own musical careers. But when troubling signs arise that the barrier between worlds is crumbling, Liesl must return to the Underground to unravel the mystery of life, death, and the Goblin King—who he was, who he is, and who he will be.

Smoke in the Sun (A Flame in the Mist #2) by Renee Ahdieh: After Okami is captured in the Jukai forest, Mariko has no choice—to rescue him, she tricks her brother, Kenshin, and betrothed, Raiden, into thinking she was being held by the Black Clan against her will. But each secret Mariko unfurls gives way to the next, ensnaring her and Okami in a political scheme that threatens their honor, their love and very the safety of the empire.

Sisters of the Snake by Sasha & Sarena Nanua: an Indian-inspired fantasy where twins separated at birth—one now a princess, the other a street thief— must switch places in a bid to stop a catastrophic war that threatens to tear their kingdom apart.

Silver Phoenix (Kingdom of Xia #1) by Cindy Pon: With her father long overdue from his journey and a lecherous merchant blackmailing her into marriage, 17-year-old Ai Ling becomes aware of a strange power within her as she goes in search of her parent.

The Silvered Serpents (The Gilded Wolves #2) by Roshani Chokshi: Séverin and his team members might have successfully thwarted the Fallen House, but at a terrible cost. Desperate to make amends, Séverin pursues a dangerous lead to find a long lost artifact rumored to grant its possessor the power of God. Their hunt lures them far from Paris, and into icy heart of Russia.

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim: The Wild Swans meets East Asian fantasy where an exiled princess, Shiori, must unweave the curse that turned her brothers into cranes, assisted by her spurned betrothed, a mercurial dragon, and a paper bird brought to life by her own magic.

A Sky Beyond the Storm (An Ember in the Ashes #4) by Sabaa Tahir: Laia of Serra is now allied with the Blood Shrike, Helen Aquilla. Determined to stop the approaching apocalypse, she throws herself into the destruction of the Nightbringer. In the process, she awakens an ancient power that could lead her to victory–or to an unimaginable doom.

Skyhunter by Marie Lu: Robbed of her voice and home, Talin Kanami knows firsthand the brutality of the Federation. Their cruelty forced her and her mother to seek asylum in Mara. When a mysterious prisoner is brought from the front, Talin senses there’s more to him than meets the eye. 

The Shadow Glass (Bone Witch #3) by Rin Chupeco: Bone witch Tea’s dark magic eats away at her, but she must save the one she loves most, even while her life—and the kingdoms—are on the brink of destruction.

Song of the Abyss (Towers of Wind #2) by Makiia Lucier: When menacing raiders attack her ship, navigator Reyna must use every resource at her disposal, including placing her trust in a handsome prince from a rival kingdom.

Song of the Crimson Flower by Julie C. Dao: After cruelly rejecting Bao, the poor physician’s apprentice who loves her, Lan, a wealthy nobleman’s daughter, regrets her actions. After learning that Bao’s soul has been trapped inside a flute by a witch, Lan vows to make amends and help break the spell.

Soul of the Sword (Shadow of the Fox #2) by Julie Kagawa: As the paths of Yumeko and the possessed Tatsumi cross once again, the entire empire will be thrown into chaos.

A Spark of White Fire by Sangu Mandanna: In this sci-fi retelling of the  Mahabrahata, Esmae learns that the King of Wychstar is offering the unbeatable warship Titania to the winner of his competition and she sees her chance to return home and help her brother win back his kingdom.

The Speaker (Sea of Ink and Gold #2) by Traci Chee: Having barely escaped the clutches of the Guard, Sefia and Archer are back on the run, slipping into the safety of the forest to tend to their wounds and plan their next move.

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim: 17-year-old Maia Tamarin poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor, and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars, with help from the mysterious court magician, Edan.

Spell Starter (Caster #2) by Elsie Chapman: Yes, Aza Wu now has magic back, but now she’s in the employ of the gang leader, St. Willow. Who soon decides that having Aza as a fighter is much more lucrative than as a fixer.

Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar: Inspired by Hindu mythology, half-mortal, half-star Sheetal enters a celestial competition to save her human father’s life.

The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi:  Treated with scorn and fear in her father's kingdom because of a formidable horoscope, 16-year-old Maya commits herself to her education only to land in an arranged marriage that culminates in her sudden elevation to the throne, a situation that is threatened by dark secrets and Otherworldly magic.

Star-Touched Stories by Roshani Choski:Three lush and adventurous stories in the Star-Touched world.

Steelstriker (Skyhunter #2) by Marie Lu: After the fall of Mara, and with the fate of a broken world hanging in the balance, Talin and Red must reunite the Strikers and find their way back to one another.

Storm the Earth (Shatter the Sky #2) by Rebecca Kim Wells: Maren and her girlfriend Kaia set out to rescue Sev  in Zafed, and free the dragons from the corrupt emperor.

The Storyteller (Sea of Ink and Gold #3) by Traci Chee: Sefia is determined to keep Archer out of the Guard’s clutches and their plans for war between the Five Kingdoms. As Sefia and Archer watch Kelanna start to crumble to the Guard’s will, they will have to choose between their love and joining a war that just might tear them apart.

Stronger Than A Bronze Dragon by Mary Fan: In this steampunk fantasy set in Qing dynasty-inspired China, warrior girl Anlei teams up with a thief to save her village from shadow spirits, but after arriving at the Courts of Hell, a discovery challenges everything they know about who the real enemy is.

The Suffering (Girl From the Well #2) by Rin Chupeco: When an old friend disappears in Aokigahara, Japan's infamous 'suicide forest,' Tark and the ghostly Okiku must resolve their differences and return to find her. In a strange village inside Aokigahara, old ghosts and an ancient evil lie waiting. 

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong: In 1920s Shanghai, starcrossed heirs to rival gangs, Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov, must work together to face a monster that hunts the city streets before the outbreak of the Chinese Civil War.

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake: A fantasy about triplet sisters separated at birth, where one of the sisters will grow up to be queen of their magical island, but in order to ascend to the throne she must hone her magic for a dark purpose: assassinating her other two sisters before they kill her first.

A Thousand Beginnings and Endings edited by Ellen Oh & Elsie Chapman: 15 bestselling and acclaimed authors reimagine the folklore and mythology of East and South Asia in short stories that are by turns enchanting, heartbreaking, romantic, and passionate.

A Thousand Fires by Shannon Price: In modern-day San Francisco where three gangs rule the city streets, half-Filipina teen Valerie Simons enters the Red Bridge Wars to seek vengeance for her younger brother’s death, but soon finds herself torn between old love and new loyalty.

The Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala: In ancient India, soldier Kunal hunts the “Viper,” rebel girl Esha accused of killing his General, embarking on a dangerous cat and mouse game and where both must decide—loyalty to their old lives or to a love that’s made them dream of new ones.

Timekeeper by Tara Sim: set in an alternate Victorian era where clock towers control time, about a teen clock mechanic who is assigned to repair a damaged tower and finds himself falling in forbidden love with the boy he mistakes for his apprentice, but is actually the tower’s clock spirit, and whose life is threatened by a mysterious attacker planting bombs in clock towers across England.

A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes #2) by Sabaa Tahir: Laia and Elias fight their way north to liberate Laia’s brother from the horrors of Kauf Prison. Hunted by Empire soldiers, manipulated by the Commandant, and haunted by their pasts, Laia and Elias must outfox their enemies and confront the treacherousness of their own hearts.

Two Dark Reigns (Three Dark Crowns #3) by Kendare Blake: A victorious Katharine sits on the throne, Mirabella and Arsinoe are in hiding, and an unexpected renegade is about to wage a war of her own. The crown has been won, but these queens are far from done.

Unravel the Dusk (The Blood of Stars #2) by Elizabeth Lim: With a war brewing, master tailor Maia Tamarin will stop at nothing to find her love Edan, protect her family, and bring lasting peace to her country.

Vicious Spirits (Gumiho #2) by Kat Cho: With the support of Somin and Junu, Miyoung and Jihoon might just have a shot at normalcy. But Miyoung is getting sicker by the day and her friends don’t know how to save her. With few options remaining, Junu has an idea but it might require the ultimate sacrifice and, let’s be honest, Junu isn’t known for his “generosity.”

Want by Cindy Pon: Set in a teeming, pollution choked Taipei which follows a group of teens living on the seedy fringes of a highly divided society that works only for the elite as they decide to risk everything to take down the powerful company which controls the city. 

Warcross by Marie Lu: When teenage coder Emika Chen hacks her way into the opening tournament of the Warcross Championships, she glitches herself into the game as well as a sinister plot with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire. 

Warrior (Dragon King Chronicles #2) by Ellen Oh: Kira, the yellow-eyed demon slayer of Hansong, continues her quest to find the lost treasures of the dragon king's prophecy, save her cousin, the prince, unite her kingdom, and defeat the demon lord

We Hunt the Flame (Sands of Arawiya #1) by Hafsah Faizal: In a world inspired by ancient Arabia, 17-year-old huntress Zafira must disguise herself as a man to seek a lost artifact that could return magic to her cursed world.

We Free the Stars (Sands of Arawiya #2) by Hafsah Faizal: When Zafria, the Hunter, and Nasir, the Prince of Death both embark on a quest to uncover a lost magic artifact, they encounter an ancient evil long thought destroyed - and discover that the prize they seek may be even more dangerous this time.

Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles: Showgirl Kallia, haunted by a dark past, must compete in a magician’s competition in order to secure her ambition and freedom from the handsome, enigmatic keeper of the club, Jack, even as mysterious accidents seem to plague her every move, while crossing paths with another talented magician, Demarco.

When Night Breaks (Kingdom of Hearts #2) by Janella Angeles: The competition has come to a disastrous end, and Daron Demarco’s fall from grace is now front page news. But little matters to him beyond Kallia, the contestant he fell for. With time running out, Kallia must embrace her role in a darker destiny.

Wicked Fox by Kat Cho: After 18-year-old Miyoung Gu, a nine-tailed fox surviving in modern-day Seoul by eating the souls of evil men, kills a murderous goblin to save Jihoon, she is forced to choose between her immortal life and his.

Wildcard (Warcross #2) by Marie Lu: Emika Chen barely made it out of the Warcross Championships alive. Knowing the truth behind Hideo's new NeuroLink algorithm, she is determined to put a stop to his plans. 

The Wild Ones by Nafiza Azad: A a multi-perspective feminist narrative about a fierce band of magic-wielding girls—the Wild Ones—who have collectively survived unspeakable things, and together are determined to save other girls from the cruelties and tragedies they’ve had to endure in their own past lives.

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones: After her sister is kidnapped by the Goblin King, Liesl journeys to the Underground and is faced with an impossible decision when she finds herself captivated by the strange world and its mysterious ruler.

Wicked As You Wish by Rin Chupeco: A girl descended from Filipina mythological heroine Maria Makiling, finds herself caught up in a war between two fairy tale kingdoms, where the fate of Avalon is at stake.

Windborn by Mary Fan: With magicians hot on their trail, air nymph Kiri and magician’s apprentice Darien embark on a treacherous journey through dangerous lands to freedom.

World After (Penryn & The End of Days #2) by Susan Ee: Penryn's search for her kidnapped sister, Paige, leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans, while Raffe must choose between reclaiming his wings--and his role as the angels' leader--or helping Penryn survive.

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Adhieh: In this reimagining of The Arabian Nights, Shahrzad plans to avenge the death of her dearest friend by volunteering to marry the murderous boy-king of Khorasan but discovers not all is as it seems within the palace.

Zeroboxer by Fonda Lee: As 17-year-old Carr 'the Raptor' Luka rises to fame in the weightless combat sport of zeroboxing, he learns a devastating secret that jeopardizes not only his future in the sport, but interplanetary relations.

[weemsbotts]

How Bull Run Mountain Got Its Name. Maybe.

By: Lisa Timmerman, Executive Director

Virginia folk legends embrace every aspect of our state, whether recording the details of a famous person, event, or location. Folklore is literally everywhere, from the graffiti found in public restrooms to documented narratives collected during the Virginia Writer’s Project in the 1940s. While the name “Bull Run” may automatically trigger Civil War history in your mind, go back further with Miss M.A. Ewell interviewed by Susan R. Morton in Haymarket, undated (1937-1942). Based on the date of Ms. Morton’s other interviews in PWC, this was probably recorded in 1941. Ms. Morton indicated she heard the same version of this tale told by others in the community.

(Kitchin, Thomas. A new map of Virginia from the best authorities. [London: London Magazine, 1761] Map. https://www.loc.gov/item/2001627679/)

When the first settlers made their way along the Carolina Road which led from the Susquehanna to the Carolinas, the mountains to the west were of sinister repute. Wolves abounded, catamounts yowled in the night, and always there was the danger of brigands who hid there to waylay the travelers along the trail, to say nothing of the fierce Indians. So cattle that escaped from the droves along the road were often left behind rather than risk the dangers of a prolonged hunt for them on the mountainside. Thus it was a young bull breaking away from some settlers bringing their stock with them was left to roam at will. It grew to unusual proportions, and together with its great size, became so fierce that it was before long felt to be as great a menace to the peace of the community within a few miles of the mountain as the wild animals that roamed there at will. Hunters came home with tales of being chased by this ferocious beast, who seemed to have a great dislike for men. His body was massive and the footprints showed a cloven hoof that might have belonged to some animal that roamed the hills before the advent of man. His roar could be heard over half a mile, yet, in spite of his size, which would have been supposed to make him ungainly, he was so swift that nine had ever been able to [get] within shot of him. With the approach of winter he came near the dwellings of the settlers at the foot of the mountain, frightening women and children, several of whom had had a narrow escape; so it was finally decided to form a group of well-armed men and run the bull until captured, the one to fire the fatal shot to have the meal.

The news of the proposed chase was spread throughout the countryside, and it was a challenge to the men to show their courage and skill, as well as a promise of a good supply of meat. The day designated found a large sports-loving group assembled at the foot of the mountain where the trail could be easily followed. Some of the men went from a sense of duty to rid the section of a menace; others in the hope of adding to their frugal fare in the winter to come; and the younger men for the joy of such heroic sport. They started at sunrise, and it was not until after several hours of hard work and futile riding that they came in sight of their quarry, who took them in mad pursuit over the rough trails, through heavy underbrush, showing remarkable speed for an animal of his size. Some of the horses became exhausted, some riders too, until finally as the autumn dusk became near there were but a very few left. However, the bull had slowed his pace, and finally he turned in a small ravine and was about to charge when two almost simultaneous shots felled him.

This led to an argument as to who had fired the shot that reached his heart first. But it was finally settled to the apparent satisfaction, and the victor proceeded to claim the spoils. Finding the carcass more than he could handle, he promised a hundred weight to anybody who could stay and help him skin it and cut it up. This was accomplished, but darkness was upon them by then, so the helper left with a forequarter for himself, and a hindquarter strapped to the back of the victor’s horse, which he was to lead back and get the man;s son to come with a fresh horse as well as his to carry down the remainder of the meat. He built a fire to warm himself as well as keep prowling beasts away. He cooked himself bits of the meat while he waited with growing impatience for the returning rider. He was very exhausted from the day’s work and excitement, and it was cold as the night drew on, so he wrapped himself in the hide of the bull and before long was in a sound sleep.

So sound in fact that he did not hear a rider approach. The rider, instead of his expected son, was the one that had helped with the skinning of the bull. He had merely taken it to his home, kept the other horse there, and returned with a fresh horse to get the rest of the meat, expecting that by a delay he would find owner asleep. He proceeded to cut ip the meat so that it could be tied to the horse. He worked hastily in the darkness so he could get away before the return of the owner, whom he thought had merely gone a short distance in search of help. To complete the job, he tied the tail of the bull to the horse and started off at a gallop to get out of sight as soon as possible. All at once he heard terrified screams and curses coming out of the hide, the sleeper being so rudely awakened and realizing that he, as well as the meat, was being stolen. [He] soon caught the culprit, a desperate fight ensuing. Searchers later found them both, too battered to make their way home, and an easy prey for wolves.

While unique to the area, the folklore of the bull falls into recognizable world-wide motifs. Thompson’s motif-index and the Aarne-Thompson-Uther Index (ATU) are extremely helpful when analyzing folktales. These descriptive and exhaustive catalogues identify common motifs across all cultures, providing a structured and organized hierarchy that we can use to find similar folktales. This folk legend falls within three of those motifs: Devastating Bull, Bellow of bull heard over great distance, and Task: killing fierce bull. According to Thompson’s motif-index, these cross with both Greek and Irish folktales. The people telling their narratives relied upon their family’s experiences, oral stories, and their own knowledge to craft an understanding of the region they inhabited. According to Folklorist Thomas E. Barden, place names “support the attitudes and morals of their group, express its anxieties, give advice, and recognize and sometimes resolve social and personal ambiguities.” It can also entertain, identify important issues to the culture, features of the land, and change/evolve. While Miss Ewell told a tale warning of dangerous animals, greed, and honesty, perhaps you heard something different from your family and friends. Folklore and history are not static – as we continue analyzing primary documents and pulling at the threads of folktales for tasty historical nibbles, we constantly evaluate and gain better insight into the people living in Virginia.

Note on transcribed interviews: A subsidiary of the WPA Federal Writers’ Project, Virginia field workers collected over 3,850 folklore across sixty-two counties from 1937–1942.

(Sources: Barton, Thomas E., ed. Virginia Folk Legends. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1991)

Note: Did you know we host everything from classes crafting beautiful winter décor to monthly sessions focused on literary & historic short stories featuring a delicious tea from local shop Leaf & Petal? You can find all our current seasonal events here!

[winnetou-oldshatterhand]

TID: Two notebook pages with six images and rather long descriptions

Image 1:

Transcription: "In zähem Kampf ist der Bär erlegt worden. Aber schon wieder zerreißen Schüsse die Stille des Tales. Gebannt sehen die drei in die Ferne."

Translation: "After a tough fight the bear has been slain. But it doesn't take long until shots once again break the silence of the valley. Curious, the three look into the distance."

Image 2:

Transcription: "Vier weiße Reiter sind von einem Rudel Indianer verfolgt worden. Einer der Reiter stürzt und bleibt leblos liegen. Auch Winnetou kennt den Toten nicht."

Translation: "Four white riders are being pursued by a band of Indians. One of the riders falls and remains lifeless. Winnetou does not know the dead man either."

Image 3:

Transcription: "Durch Rauchwolken aufmerksam gemacht, sind die drei in rasendem Galopp zurückgeritten. Aber sie finden nur noch Trümmer - ein Werk der Geier - raffiniert als Schoschonenüberfall getarnt."

Translation: "Their attention caught by the smoke, the three have ridden home as fast as possible. But they find only rubble - a work of the Vultures - fiendishly disguised as a Shoshone attack."

Image 4:

Transcription: "Annie, die Tochter eines reichen Diamanthändlers, ist mit einer Geldladung unterwegs. Ihr Begleiter, der drollige Old Wabble, soll sie sicher durch die von Geiern beherrschte Schlucht bringen."

Translation: "Annie, daughter of a wealthy diamond trader, is transporting a load of money. Her companion, silly Old Wabble, is meant to get her safely through the canyon ruled by the Vultures."

Image 5:

Transcription: "Old Surehand, der berühmte Westmann, trifft Annie und ihren Begleiter. Er bietet ihnen bis zur nächsten Station - Baumanns Farm - seinen Schutz an."

Translation: "Old Surehand, the famous west man, meets Annie and her companion. He offers them his protection until the next station - Baumann's Farm."

Image 6:

Transcription: "Die Farm wurde, so gut es ging, wieder aufgebaut. Martin Baumann geleitet die beiden müden Reisenden ins Haus."

Translation: "The farm has been rebuild as much as possible. Martin Baumann guides the two tired travellers into the house."

[whywishesarehorses]

Inside the Famous—and Deadly—Omak Stampede

This article was written by Allison Williams, published in the August 2017 issue of Seattle Met, and reformatted here for your enjoyment.

This one is text heavy and long, so it is hidden under a read more.

Thursday

Eighteen horses form an imperfect line on a hot August night, their 18 jockeys clad in jeans. Here on a sandy bluff in the small town of Omak, four hours east of Seattle and several worlds away, riders and spectators alike move with nervous energy, anxious for the race to start. One jockey wears a helmet topped with a pink mohawk, another with a GoPro camera. One horse, sponsored by a local marijuana dispensary, sports painted pot leaves on its rump. Wispy white eagle feathers hang from others, emblems of the Native American heritage the men share.

A summer carnival glows below, neon outlines of rides called the Orbiter and the Fireball, metal towers that came into town on tractor trailers. Farther into the Okanogan Highlands, a casino twinkles alone on Indian Reservation land. It’s August 11, 2016, and even an hour past sunset the air holds onto most of the heat from the 90-degree day.

A “whoooop!” erupts from the gathered crowd as the animals sidestep and bob their heads behind the chalk starting line. His race number bright across his chest, 18-year-old Scott Abrahamson eyes the sandy dirt in front of the line, groomed like a golf course sand trap. His long bubblegum-pink sleeves mean he’s easy to spot even in the shadows where floodlights don’t reach, and his helmet blinks with battery-operated toy devil horns. He’s surrounded by both champions—Loren Marchand with seven titles, Tyler Peasley with three—and nervous high schoolers in their first race.

At the crack of a gun, the horses charge. Their riders lean forward as hooves pound the sandy flat, at least for the first hundred feet. The crowd cheers as soon as the pistol sounds, cries and hoots blossoming into the dark.

Then 18 horses go off a cliff.

The riders shift in their saddles as their mounts fly down an incline steeper than a ski jump. The best jockeys, the veterans, barely lean back coming off the hill, reins clasped in the left hand and riding crops in the right. Others grasp a bar they’ve rigged on the back of their saddles they call the “oh shit handle.”

The spectators’ cries reach full pitch when the pack is halfway to the waterway at the base of the hill, a thick ribbon of black that flows left to right. The horses plunge into the inky Okanogan River en masse, hooves hitting the shallow bottom, and all but one charge across to the opposite bank. The stadium on the far side is lit up like a Friday-night football game, floodlights bright atop red, white, and blue bleachers, and Scott and his hot-pink sleeves emerge first in the dirt oval, just 45 seconds into the race. As they cross the finish line, Peasley is right on his tail.

Fifteen horses follow, minus the one that tumbled in the river. A crew attends to the downed horse from the deck of a small drift boat; while the stadium roars, a veterinarian surveys the animal and notes that it’s already gone, likely drowned.

Back atop the hill, Colville tribal elders watch through binoculars before one spots something in the sandy dirt, an eagle feather dislodged by the chaos. They circle the downed quill, addressing the spirit it represents, the eagle that travels in both worlds, before one of the elders lifts the feather to return it to its owner.

This is the World Famous Suicide Race.

There will be four races total during Omak Stampede, always the second weekend in August. Each race awards five points to the first-place finisher, four to the second, and so on; the overall winner clinches the King of the Hill title on Sunday, and $40,000 in prize money is distributed. It’s the highlight of this Central Washington town’s year, a tradition that draws thousands of spectators—and animal-rights protesters.

Omak straddles the border of the Colville Reservation, home of almost every racer, horse owner, and trainer. The contest is a rite of passage, they say, a proving ground for men—and even a few women—coming of age more than a century after actual horseback warfare. Beyond the turgid flow of the Okanogan River through town, the reservation sprawls over 1.4 million acres of highlands, brittle with brown grass in late summer. There the Native American communities are plagued by poverty and unemployment.

If the Suicide Race was a small-town Friday-night football game, teenaged Scott Abrahamson would be its star quarterback. He’s an ace student, focused and polite, with technical internships and honor rolls to his name, but this weekend he’s a jockey with a King of the Hill title to defend. All eyes are on him.

Friday

He gets sick before every big race. “Everything hits me and my body,” Scott says. “I can barely walk.” His cousin calls it good luck; Scotty puking means they’re going to do well.

In the hours before Friday’s race, the second of four, Scott’s prepping in the triangular Owners and Jockey’s paddock in the middle of the fairgrounds. By 5pm, Omak veterinarian Jai Tuttle holds court at one end of the dusty enclosure, near standing fans that muster a little manufactured breeze. As they wait to parade their horses for Doc Tuttle, owners angle water hoses over the animals’ backs.

Everyone older than Scott calls him Scotty. This year’s printed program, in the roster of winners dating back to 1935, calls him that. After he won in 2015, he became small-town famous, no longer just the good kid who excelled at basketball and wrestling. People holler, “Go Scotty” at him all weekend.

His father was famous too. That’s what happens when you win the Suicide Race; Leroy Abrahamson took the title in 2002, but was best known for his prowess in the Indian Relay, a more widespread style of racing where one jockey hops from horse to horse. Leroy, Scott has heard, would flit from one mount to the next with only a single foot brushing the ground.

Scott doesn’t remember his first time in a saddle but assumes it was before he could walk, though he largely gave it up in elementary school, when his parents split. His father was the horse guy; his mother was all about school. So he became a standout student in Coulee Dam, a reservation town in the shadow of the 50-story hydroelectric giant. When his father died in 2009, he was drawn back to horses.

“I’m sorta doing all this for him,” Scott says, hesitant. His mother wasn’t wild about the racing, but he didn’t falter at school, scoring an engineering internship with the Bureau of Reclamation. Slight and muscular, his five-foot-nine stature is too tall for a throughbred jockey but about average for this race. His hair is short and straight, spiking around his head like a halo, and he likes to hide his eyes behind sunglasses.

The summer he was 16, after his sophomore year of high school, Scott entered his first Suicide Race. Atop a small gelding named Kinky, he fell as they crested the top of the hill on the Thursday race, flipping over the horse’s shoulder. On Friday the pair wrecked in the water.

“I flipped over and everybody ran me over,” he says. “Everyone says it happens so fast, but when I was in it, it was like slow motion.” Finally, on Saturday, they made it through the entire race, galloping past the finish line in the stadium. Then Sunday the pair wrecked again.

A new horse was in order. His trainer, George Marchand, is a giant within the Suicide Race world and holder of three titles. He’d lost his own father at 14 and rode against Leroy Abrahamson 15 years ago, so he guided Scott, this time to a nighttime ride on a quarter horse–thoroughbred mix named Eagle Boy. The butterscotch-colored gelding was only about five years younger than the rider.

“It was pitch black and dusty,” remembers Scott. The hills of the reservation are dotted with brush and ponderosa pine, but he could make out little from his saddle. They were on top of a hill, he knew that, and that George had taken off.

He gave Eagle Boy his head as they sped over the uneven terrain. “We were jumping trees and dodging trees,” recalls Scott, but they moved as a unit. “I was like dang—he trusts me.” Matching horse to rider is alchemy.

In 2015, in his second year racing and only 17 years old, Scott on Eagle Boy tied for first overall with six-time victor Loren Marchand, George’s nephew. With a wide grin stretched across his face, the rising high school senior played rock-paper-scissors with his cochamp for a King of the Hill prize bridle.

The name World Famous Suicide Race might be a bit of hyperbole, but the race is nothing if not infamous. It emerged in scrappy Omak where a Great Depression population boom—all the way to 2,500 souls—launched an annual rodeo in 1933. As publicity chairman, furniture store owner Claire Pentz proposed a dramatic steeplechase to draw spectators, inspired by mountain races across the reservation at Keller, where riders charged a dry channel in the Sanpoil River. He knew how to sell it: He gave his 1935 creation a catchy name.

The World Famous Suicide Race ran every summer, the marquee event at the four-day Omak Stampede rodeo. Dynasties were born when the inaugural race’s third-place finisher, Alex Dick, won regularly through 1965. There have been seven Marchand riders over the years, six Abrahamsons, nearly a dozen named Pakootas. The unofficial motto, one that appears on winners’ belt buckles, is “Wimps Need Not Apply.”

The 210-foot hill, most say, is a 62-degree slope. Or it’s 54.7 degrees, as measured by a race official in 1993. Others say it’s more like 30. Regardless, it’s terrifying. From the top, the hill feels as steep as a hard ski run; a black diamond, but not a double black. Scrambling up on foot, you might use your hands.

The stampede and race remain intertwined, but in 1999 the Colville Tribes boycotted to protest a change to their camping space on the fairgrounds. The Stampede lost attendance and revenue, and the following year a deal was struck: The tribes got more control over the race organization, and the encampment got its park space.

Family ties bind many of the owners, trainers, and jockeys, and while a few aren’t Native American at all, they’re the exception. This is the biggest sporting event in the region, the Super Bowl of north-central Washington. “This is the only time we get to play cowboys and Indians,” jokes one organizer, Ernie Williams.

Doc Tuttle is fairly new to the race gig, but between her ease with fidgety horses and no-nonsense demeanor, the veterinarian exudes authority. One by one she clears the horses for Friday’s race, directing owners to walk each thousand-pound animal in a figure eight as her eyes stay trained on forelegs and haunches, scrutinizing for swollen tendons or joints.

No one can pretend the Suicide Race isn’t controversial. As early as 1939, the protests started; Humane Society president Glen McLeod succeeded in canceling a mountain race in nearby Hunters, then traveled to Omak and Keller hoping to do the same. “Why, even the riders call it a ‘suicide race,’ ” McLeod told The Seattle Daily Times before a similar trip in 1941.

Animal rights groups started keeping a tally of dead horses in 1983, with one count now at 22. “The reality is that the race is viewed as part of the Omak Stampede rodeo, and rodeos are protected under state law,” says Seattle Humane Society spokesman Dan Paul, but points out that rapid shifts in public sentiment swiftly made SeaWorld orca shows and circus elephant acts extinct.

People for Ethical Treatment of Animals has run letter-writing campaigns. In 1993, the Northwest’s PAWS, or Progressive Animal Welfare Society, tried a more robust tactic, filing a lawsuit that alleged organizers harm horses for profit, but a Superior Court judge threw out the case. In 1996, a PAWS member sued the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office and the rodeo for roughing him up when he videotaped a horse being euthanized; the suit settled for $64,500.

For the organizers, the response is simple: The race is merely an extension of their horse-infused culture. Every rider points out that they ride similar hills during wild-horse roundups and cattle work.

Horses have to pass three checks before they’re allowed entry into the race: the vet examination, a swim test, and what’s called a hill test, where horses must round the top of Suicide Hill without hesitation.

Tuttle isn’t from the reservation; she isn’t originally from Omak. But even as an outsider, the one who has to put horses down if they’re hurt, she doesn’t think it’s inhumane.

“These guys use horses that love it,” she says; the horses are bred to it and run steep hills regularly on the remote corners of the reservation. She rarely has to disqualify a horse because owners who spot lameness usually scratch. “It does hold a real special place in the Native culture. It does.” And that horse Thursday night that likely drowned? She considers it. “He was doing what he loved and he had a quick and honorable death.”

Friday night’s race is classic and clean; no bad wrecks. As always, the riders reach the starting line by crossing the river on the Highway 97 bridge, closed to traffic. Hooves clomp on the asphalt as the parade passes a road sign that reads, “Tribal Code Laws Apply.” There are no rules to apply in the Suicide Race once the gun is fired; riders can whip each other, pull each other’s reins. No helmets required. No wimps.

The results echo the previous night: Scott Abrahamson and Eagle Boy come in first, Tyler Peasley on Spade in second. When Scott wins, he raises his right hand above his head, palm out, fingers outstretched. His father’s gesture.

Scott was only four when Leroy won the Suicide Race. “Everyone said he was one of the greats,” he says. “It’s kinda hard to fill his shoes.” Instead he fills his horns. He wears Leroy’s blinking red devil headpiece, the kind of bauble most 18-year-olds would don at a Halloween party.

Scott’s idols were the riders who won in the late 2000s, including the 30-year-old three-time champion who came in second to him during this weekend’s first two races. As a kid he’d run down hills playing at Suicide Race, imaginary whip flying, yelling, “I’m Tyler Peasley!” After his 2015 win, Scott noticed something: “The kids run around saying they’re me.”

It’s after 10pm when the racehorses have completed their cooldown laps and have been loaded into trailers for the ride home. Scott accompanies George Marchand to Omak Lake, 15 miles out of town, to let Eagle Boy soak before bed.

Saturday

Saturday night’s Suicide Race is the biggest. The 7,700-seat arena is packed, and lines form at every fun house and stomach-destroying ride in the carnival outside. Booths hawk curly fries, cotton candy, and foot-longs, though the longest lines are reliably at a taco truck.

But that’s not the whole Omak Stampede. On the east side of the arena, a mirror festival, maybe even larger: the Indian Encampment. Rows of teepees surround a round pavilion for dancing and drum performances, with RVs and tents beyond that. Spectators bring their own camp chairs to supplement the few bleachers. Booths sell jewelry, T-shirts, and dream catchers, and while some of the food is the same—nothing is as universal as curly fries—more signs are handwritten, and many vend Indian tacos and huckleberry lemonade.

Before the rodeo begins, the arena’s industrial speakers blast pop country songs over every acre. The festivities begin with a series of anthems and processions, recognizing the neighboring nations of Canada and the Colville Tribes. During the ride-in, dozens of rodeo queens from around the West shoot into the center oval on horseback, one by one, decked in every shade of sparkle.

The announcer introduces each event, then banters with the rodeo clown when things get slow or a bull rider needs a moment to limp off the dirt. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association produces the classic rodeo events, ones with more white riders than Native: bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing. Specialty acts bridge the competitive sports: trick riders and one blonde woman who does a kind of partner dance with an unbridled palomino horse to the blaring sounds of a country song called “Free.” It ends with the horse placing its blond head in her lap.

The Suicide Race is the final blockbuster event. Spectators wade up to their knees into the Okanogan River just upstream of the race crossing, bare feet on slimy rocks. Signs still note that video recording is prohibited, but they’re roundly ignored in the age of cell phones.

Despite the shocking name, the only rider death since anyone’s kept close records was one who drowned on his way to the starting line—though there are plenty of close calls. In 2002, the year Leroy Abrahamson took home the title, racer Naomie Peasley took a tumble so bad she fractured her skull. She recovered, but not before flatlining twice in the medic helicopter.

In its anti–Suicide Race materials, PAWS airs a common criticism of the race: its authenticity. “Organizers currently contend that the Suicide Race has roots in Native American tradition but, in fact, an Anglo conceived the race as a publicity stunt,” reads its statement. Detractors hang on that detail, its origins with furniture salesman Claire Pentz.

To riders and trainers, though, Pentz is irrelevant, and they point to the deep roots of horse culture. For Scott, the point of the race is clear: “Showing that a young man is becoming a warrior, becoming a man.”

The race, the encampment—it’s the tribes’ biggest invitation into their world. “There’s more that people don’t see behind these walls, about Indian life...sweat lodges, medicine,” adds Aaron Carden, a retired racer who now teaches Native language on the reservation. Of the borders around that world, he says, “It’s not our fence to keep people out. It’s the fence white men built to keep us out of the area they took.”

The race wasn’t the only thing “created” by a white man; the very invention of a Colville Tribes unit is recent. Long before that, before statehood, before Manifest Destiny, before Lewis and Clark white-privileged their way across the American West, the Okanogan Highlands tribes lived nomadic lives, picking berries and drawing salmon from the massive Columbia River. And racing horses.

First came the incorporation of Washington Territory, then a series of executive orders begun by president Ulysses S. Grant that roped several tribes into three million acres between the Methow Valley and the Columbia River. Others were elbowed into the reservation, linking bands that once stretched from the dusty plains of Washington to the mountains of British Columbia. One chief invited a famous Indian leader, Chief Joseph, and his Nez Perce followers in 1885. With his band, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation—a patchwork assembly that had no single language or traditional commonality—reached their current 12-tribe size.

Over 125 years the tribes faced what so many other American Indians did—children forced into boarding schools, languages squashed. The federal government forced a cheap buyback of 1.5 million acres, lands still lamented as the lost “North Half.” The Grand Coulee Dam, erected in 1942, blocked spawning salmon with its 550-foot concrete walls; Colville tribal members mourned the loss of Kettle Falls, a historic fishing spot, with a Ceremony of Tears before it was submerged by the dam’s backup.

In the 1960s, the tribes toyed with termination, dissolving the reservation altogether and splitting the lands among its 5,000 members. Reservations had been terminated by the government before, but the Colvilles were the only ones to dare seriously consider it themselves, an unprecedented move of self-governance. Congressional hearings were held but the measure never passed, so the Colville Reservation endured.

The Suicide Race is a separate world from suicide itself, a public health crisis for the Colvilles. Whether spurred by pervasive poverty—reservation unemployment topped 50 percent in 2010—or rampant substance abuse, the suicide rate ballooned to 20 times the national average in 2006. “After that we were in a panic on what we need to do and could do,” says tribal staffer Olivia Wynecoop. Tribal leadership declared a state of emergency, and Wynecoop helped secure grants for education and designating “natural helpers” to be on call for suicide emergencies.

Scott positions Eagle Boy at the western end of the starting line for the Saturday-night race. This isn’t like the starting gate at the Kentucky Derby; horses pace and turn, and the antsy palomino next to him does a sideways prance before the starter pistol goes off. Scott is angry, though later he says he can’t remember why. Trash talk and psych-outs are regular along the starting line, older jockeys trying to ruffle the young ones still gathering their courage.

But three years and one win into the Suicide Race, Scott can ignore the chatter. He and Eagle Boy are still until the gun sounds, then fast to the crest of the hill. Aaron Carden still remembers the feeling 25 years after his first win: “You’re actually flying in the sky. Nobody can take that away from you.”

There’s a commotion, a cloud of dust to Scott’s left, but he’s well in front of the pack as they hit the water. Two strides into the dark water, Eagle Boy stumbles, flinging Scott into the river. His blinking red devil horns disappear under the white churn created by horses on either side. They’re both okay but don’t log a finish.

What Scott couldn’t see was what happened on the top of the hill, to the very first rider off the break. Tyler Peasley, whom Scott idolized as a kid, and who’d placed at Scott’s heels the past two nights, darted off the top of the hill like a raptor after its prey. Peasley’s a little taller than Scott, broader shouldered, and he rides to win. His mount, Spade, got so much air he tucked his back legs underneath him and simply sailed for the first 30 feet of the downward slope.

They were serene in that moment, flying, until Spade’s hooves finally hit the tilted ground again; Peasley pitched over Spade’s front left shoulder before the horse executed a tight somersault. The jockey disappeared under the hooves of the horses behind him and the crowd made a collective, guttural gasp. Peasley’s body didn’t come to a stop until he reached the bottom of the hill.

Sunday

The final race is also the only daytime race of the weekend; for the first time since the trials and runoff races held before the stampede, they’ll be rushing the hill in full daylight.

The mood in the O&J paddock is subdued, but word is going around that Peasley is stable at a nearby hospital. News will later spread that his injuries included a broken pelvis, hip, and ribs, and the racing community fundraises to support his care and gas money for his family to visit him.

Remarkably, Tyler’s horse, Spade, is unhurt from the tumble, ready to race again. His owner lights a bundle of sage and says a few words over the horse before a new jockey takes the saddle.

For the final time in 2016, Scott follows the parade to the top of Suicide Hill. His jeans have a gaping hole in the knee—real wear from hard riding, not a fashion statement—and his wraparound sunglasses are ’80s big. No devil horns for the daytime race, but, as ever, his name is the one most shouted by the crowds: “Come on Scotty,” over and over.

With 10 points already earned, Scott only needs to place to secure the title. Owner and trainer Marchand tells him not to go all out, and when the gun fires, he doesn’t. He holds back his whip, lets Eagle Boy run the race without extra urging. It’s the smart move, the calculated move, no doubt informed by the disastrous night before. But Scott comes to regret holding back.

Not because it doesn’t work. Scott and Eagle Boy place second, netting four more points and easily clinching his first solo all-around title. But for Scott, the kind of driven athlete who hates to give a single inch, playing it safe feels wrong. Now with two titles to his name, only three years in, he says he’ll ride “until I get broken down and can’t do it no more.”

Three days later, Scott will depart his Coulee Dam home and drive five hours to start his freshman year at Washington State University. As an engineering student he will pull a 3.8 GPA his first semester and a 3.9 the second; he’s lined up two years of scholarships so far and hopes he’ll be able to extend to the full undergrad four.

Scott won’t brag about his Suicide win at college, but he’ll drive home every fall weekend for Indian Relay races, another sport that mixes horsemanship with a touch of anarchy. Around the reservation, he doesn’t have to brag about being King of the Hill; everyone already knows. “He’s the Steph Curry of the Suicide Race,” one tribal member says. “Loren and Tyler are the Lebrons.”

The second weekend of August 2017 is already on everyone’s calendar. Scott will be back on Eagle Boy, who he now half owns with George Marchand—a 49 percent share. He now has a streak to defend. By early June, high winter snows have melted to fill the Okanogan River, and ecologists are warning of water flows two or three times normal. Scott guesses that, with the river this high, it’ll be too deep for the horses to simply wade across during the Suicide Race; they’ll have to swim for the first time since, he believes, 2002. The year his father won it all.

But on Sunday night in August 2016, after the King of the Hill awards and the pictures, he’s just a high school kid again. He wanders the Indian Encampment with friends, waits in line for fry bread.

Under the pavilion, dancers spin and step, decked in elaborate feathered headdresses and beaded robes. Some have numbers pinned to their costumes, like marathon runners, to compete. In a drum tent, the songs are a steady thrum of chants and cries, indecipherable to the visitors who stand awkwardly outside the rows of seated tribal members who are at once both audience and participant.

Picture this: a quiet mountain lake, bordered by rocky hills dotted with ponderosa pine. In daytime Omak Lake is seven miles of brilliant turquoise, but now, at night, it’s a black mirror. Two men drive a horse trailer to its shore, unloading an unsaddled Eagle Boy.

It’s one of George Marchand’s secrets to success; the lake minerals soothe the bumps and scrapes along the horse’s legs. In the midst of the annual Perseid meteor shower, the uncloudy Okanogan skies are perfect for spotting streaks of celestial light, but the men don’t look up as they dissect the day’s race.

Scott holds Eagle Boy’s halter from a dock while the horse wades into the water, breaking the lake’s calm. The water hasn’t yet cooled from baking under another 90-plus degree day, and the hills that round the lake keep the night air still. They’ve survived another madcap contest together, earned another W. They’re back on the reservation, back home. In the silence the only sound is the lapping of the lake water against a horse.