Breath Stolen from the Living

How much is a soul worth when the world is turned to ash?

For twenty years, the Great Strife has choked the valley of Oakhaven in smoke and grey dust. Nuru, a young woman who has lost everything to the war, finds her only hope buried deep within the ruins of an ancient temple. It is the Drum of Ashes—a legendary instrument with the power to call the dead back to life.

But the rhythm comes with a terrifying price. The scales of the mountain must always be balanced: for every life restored, a living soul must be surrendered.

When the ambitious General Haxen learns of the drum's existence, he moves to claim it. He envisions an army that never dies, a force that can win the war by harvesting the lives of the weak. Amidst the chaos, Nuru hears the voice of her fallen brother, Kaelo, reaching out from the silence. The drum offers her a second chance to see him again, but only if she is willing to pay the cost in blood.

As a ruthless Prince joins the hunt, seeking to turn the world into a single, soulless symphony, Nuru must navigate a landscape of impossible choices. Who decides who is "worth" replacing? Can love survive when it is built on sacrifice?

Breath Stolen from the Living is a cinematic and deeply emotional journey through loss, hope, and the human heart. It is a timeless story about the courage it takes to let go and the beauty of a life that is not for sale.

Perfect for readers of literary fantasy and emotional drama, this novel explores the universal question of what we owe to the dead—and what we must protect for the living.