Journey to Savara — Travis Bughi

Half a year has passed since Emily Stout set sail to fulfill her destiny. For the first time in her life, she is on her own, both free to do as she pleases and to suffer all the consequences those decisions incur. Her family and friends are nothing more than a treasured memory, left in the past along with a life she chose not to have. A daunting prospect, for Emily's path is shrouded in uncertainty and danger.

Her destination, Juatwa, is a place she knows only by name, and after six months at sea among a crew of mangy pirates, she's still only halfway there. Between her and Juatwa lies Savara, an ancient land of sand, blood, and chaos. Its tale is one of forgotten glory, and its reputation one of ruinous turmoil. Known as the Great Desert, it is a place that has swallowed entire civilizations.

And Emily means to cross it.