Champion of the Rose: Volume 1
In the arena, where life is cheap and spectacle is everything, Rey must decide what kind of game he’s willing to play.
As the largest kingdom in the Known World, the Empire of Sagrada is built on the keystones of conquest: gold, glory, and the Dying God. But when Princess Rosa unexpectedly finds herself the next heir to the throne, she is determined to change Sagrada for the better—until her father announces a glorious tournament of gladiatorial fights and blood magic, with Rosa’s hand and her throne as the prize.
In a desperate bid to win her own hand, Princess Rosa chooses Rey, a trans swordsman from the colony of Himala, as her champion in her father’s tournament. Kidnapped by Sagradan conquistadors and raised as a fighter, Rey is equally desperate to win his freedom and return to Himala with his partner, Teo. But, haunted by the past and his own quest for revenge, Rey is soon caught up in the destructive spectacle of the games, where the cost of power is blood and the true prize is yet to be revealed.
A bold reenvisioning of the colonial history of Spain and the Philippines through an epic anti-imperialist fantasy about fighting for freedom in the face of empire.
Additional information
| Genre | Fantasy, Graphic Novel |
|---|---|
| Age | Young Adult |
| Publisher | Independent |
| Imprint | VIZ Originals (VIZ Media) |
| Language(s) | English |
| Format(s) | eBook, Trade paperback |
| Author | Cat Aquino and Dominique Duran |
| Release Date | 07 July 2026 |
| Release Month | July Releases |
| Author Identity | BIPOC, Disabled, LGBTQIA+, Mental Health, Neurodivergent |
About the Author
Cat Aquino is a Filipino writer, Otherwise Award fellow, speculative fiction editor, and memory and trauma studies researcher. Once a Philippine history teacher in Manila, they moved to Glasgow, Aarhus, and Barcelona for their master’s degree in children’s literature. They currently divide their time between Manila and London.
Dominique Duran is a Filipino illustrator and comics creator with work appearing in numerous anthologies, and Senior Art Director for the award-winning indie video game Until Then. Dominique is based in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
