Author's Note
I am Yasminat Al Mada’en, and I invite you into the world of The Rise of a Crimson Kingdom.
This story is set in the historical kingdom of Al-Andalus, what is now modern-day Spain. It is inspired by the real and tragic events that befell the Muslim people during the Reconquista—the ethnic cleansing, the forced exiles, the bloodshed. The events of history have shaped this land and its people, yet the voices of those who suffered are often forgotten. My intention is to give them life again through story.
While the characters you will meet are fictional, their struggles and experiences are drawn from real causes. In writing this, I have rewritten the fall to illuminate what could have been, to honor those who were lost—the martyrs, the children, the women, the brothers, the fathers—whose lives were stolen in those dark times.
Before you begin, I must be clear: this story contains depictions of ethnic cleansing and oppression. If you are uncomfortable with this subject or do not agree with its cause, I ask you to leave now. This is not a story of hate, nor is it written against anyone’s faith. I myself have many Christian friends, I love them dearly and I bear no animosity toward those who follow their beliefs—الله يهدي من يشاء. And please note that the characters portrayed are not perfect representations of religions (Islam- or Christianity)—they are human. They make mistakes, they feel hatred, they love deeply, and they struggle.
A slow burn so intense it’ll have you kicking your feet at 2AM over stolen glances and words left unsaid. No spice — just the kind of love that ruins you softly and teaches you what real love feels like from the very beginning.
And beneath it all? Secrets. Betrayals. Hidden identities. A thriller-adventure story where every chapter unravels another mystery waiting to consume you.
This story is a tribute, written for the blood of those who suffered, so that their voices are remembered, and their courage honoured.
