About

Demet Divaroren was born in her mother’s childhood home in Adana, Turkey. She migrated to Australia with her family when she was six months old and grew up on the outskirts of Melbourne. Her language was a fusion of English and Turkish words, a phonetic, random mix of strong vowels and sneaky silent letters. Outside of home, the fear of being misunderstood muted her voice until literature showed her the value of expression. Today, Demet’s unique voice shapes her stories, which explore multiculturalism, cross cultural relationships, racism, injustice, gender based oppression, and what it means to be human.

Demet is the award winning author of Living on Hope Street, and the co-editor of the CBCA shortlisted anthology Growing Up Muslim in Australia. Blood Moon Bride is her second novel.

“Divaroren is a ferociously good storyteller.” - Christos Tsiolkas

'A richly realised and provocative fantasy, Blood Moon Bride shows that even in the midst of great hardship, magic can find a way.'
C.S. Pacat, New York Times Bestselling author of DARK RISE

'Richly folkloric and tragically timely, Blood Moon Bride is a visceral tale of fierce women and bright, raging hope, drenched with blood and the light of stars.' Lili Wilkinson, author of A HUNGER OF THORNS and DEEP IS THE FEN

'I read Blood Moon Bride in one breathless sitting. The story and writing were compelling. I trembled in dread with Rehya, I ran and fought with her. Her struggle was mine and so was her triumph.' - Isobelle Carmody, author of THE OBERNEWTYN CHRONICLES and COMES THE NIGHT

OUR RESISTANCE IS POWER.

Ma's tears wet my neck as I backed into our hut. I slumped into Pa's chair. His smell curled around me. I breathed him in as my tears fell and anger bubbled under my skin. I was to be a Blood Moon Bride.

Rehya is a hunter with uncanny magical abilities - and magic has long been outlawed in Mennama Valley.

Every winter, on the night of the Blood Moon, young women enter forced marriages for the valley's advancement and prosperity. But this year Governor Kyra has decreed that girls of just fifteen must become Blood Moon Brides, making Rehya eligible.

When her Pa dies, Rehya's plans of escape evaporate and she is paraded in front of suitors on Show Day. And when she is chosen to be a bride, she lashes out.

As punishment, she is sent to the Nest. There Rehya must decide: should she submit to the life of a Blood Moon Bride, or rebel - and risk everything to fight for justice?

Blood Moon Bride is out now and can be purchased here.

Living on Hope Street

Winner of the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award, Young Adult Category. Shortlisted 2018 Prime Minister's Literary Award, Young Adult Fiction.

Living on Hope Street “is a rare book – at times shocking, at others sweet, but consistently powerful, relevant, and beautifully rendered.” - VPLA judges.

LIVING ON HOPE STREET tells the vibrant, gritty, interlinked story of seven very different people living in a street on the outskirts of Melbourne. Two young boys in a family at risk, a desperate mother, a returned Viet vet, a widowed Turkish migrant, a privileged teen girl, and an African family must find a way to connect when their lives each take unexpected turns.

Growing Up Muslim in Australia

In this refreshing and fascinating collection, twelve Muslim-Australians - some well known, some not - reveal their candid, funny and touching stories of growing up with a dual identity.

'The kind of book that will change how readers look at the world. Coloured with many shades of humour, warmth, sadness, anger, determination and honesty, it will resonate with readers from all backgrounds and beliefs.' Bookseller+Publisher