Departure

On a distant planet, Amina Hayal is a daughter of a farmer with a dream larger than life. A self-taught martial arts phenom, she dreams of competing in the most prestigious contest to earn the right to take the next journey to the stars. She only has one chance to succeed, because the flight to build the next human civilization is a one-way trip. But her quest takes an unexpected turn when she uncovers a deep conspiracy, stretching back thousands of years. She finds herself in the middle of a political and spiritual struggle among mysterious and powerful forces. They will challenge not only her combat skills and her wits, but also her most closely-held beliefs.  Departure is a unique blend of martial arts action, mysticism, and political intrigue. With its intricate world building and a diverse cast of characters, the novel explores themes of identity, belonging, spirituality, and love through a fresh take on a familiar science fiction setting.