Emily Varga is an internationally bestselling YA author of FOR SHE IS WRATH and the forthcoming THE RIVER SHE BECAME duology. FOR SHE IS WRATH was an instant indie bestseller, a Goodreads Choice nominee and was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. She has lived in England, Scotland and Australia but now calls western Canada her home where she lives with her family and their menagerie of pets. When not writing, Emily works as a family lawyer, where she learned more about storytelling than she ever expected.

"Varga's nuanced, intersectionally diverse characters illustrate the power of empathy, resistance, and sacrifice while entertaining readers with witty banter and feats of derring-do as they navigate an intricate, Pakistani mythology-inspired world." --Publishers Weekly

"Varga crafts an intricate, Pakistani-inspired world that illustrates the impact of erasure as a tool of colonialism in a powerful way that transcends fiction...[W]ith a bookish, endearing heroine; a strong, wry hero; and several trap-laden vaults, this book can easily be compared to The Mummy." --School Library Journal

"A sweeping duology opener." --Kirkus

"A high-stakes, heart-stopping romantasy full of secrets, ancient magic, and deadly fae. With fast-paced writing and a unique, complex world, The River She Became will keep you in its thrall up until its explosive ending. I couldn't put it down!" --Kristen Ciccarelli, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Heartless Hunter and Rebel Witch

"The River She Became is a thrilling exploration of what it takes to fight for freedom, replete with a swoon-worthy love story and a protagonist who refuses to give up. If you ever dreamed of finding hidden artifacts, or found magic in history, this one's for you!" --Vaishnavi Patel, New York Times bestselling author of Ten Incarnations of Rebellion

"This book is so new and different from anything I've ever read, Emily Varga has taken this genre and made it her own. Utterly immersive and inspired, I absolutely loved it." --Lauren Roberts, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Powerless trilogy

"An enthralling, twisty fantasy set in a dangerous world on a knife's edge between rebellion and tyranny. I was riveted from the first page to the last." --Ava Reid, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning

"With a darkly enchanting setting and magnetic, gutsy characters, The River She Became is a swoony, adventure-packed fairytale with a sinister edge. Relentlessly thrilling and achingly hopeful. I was utterly enthralled by Varga's storytelling." --Amanda Helander, author of the Divine Mortals duology

"All the trap-dodging, puzzle-solving thrill of Tomb Raider but with anti-colonial depth, a fascinating magic system, and a respect for artifacts as carriers of history and memory - plus a sizzling romance between two rebels fighting two different empires. A truly unique combination of everything I love coming together in one firebrand of a book." --Xiran Jay Zhao, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Iron Widow series

"A brilliantly plotted adventure full of twists and turns, breathtaking magic, and a sizzling romance, The River She Became will sweep readers off their feet. Fierce, riveting, and spellbinding. Varga's writing absolutely shines on the page and is not to be missed." --Rebecca Ross, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Divine Rivals, Ruthless Vows, and Wild Reverence

"With sweeping stakes, an enchanting cast of characters, and a breathtaking romance, The River She Became is the adventure I've been longing for, and everything I adore in a book. Emily Varga's writing will absolutely steal your heart." --Alexandra Bracken, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lore

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Pub date: 2026-06-30

Length: 416 pages