Historical fantasy

Book SynopsisIn a magical ancient Britain, bards sing a story of treachery, love and death. This is that story. For fans of Madeline Miller's Circe, Lucy Holland's Sistersong retells the folk ballad ‘The Twa Sisters.''A beautiful reimagining of an old British folklore ballad, Sistersong weaves a captivating spell of myth and magic' – Jennifer Saint, author of AriadneKing Cador’s children inherit a land abandoned by the Romans, torn by warring tribes. Riva can cure others, but can’t heal her own scars. Keyne battles to be seen as the king’s son, although born a daughter. And Sinne dreams of love, longing for adventure. All three fear a life of confinement within the walls of the hold, their people’s last bastion of strength against the invading Saxons. However, change comes on the day ash falls from the sky – bringing Myrdhin, meddler and magician. The siblings discover the power that lies within them and the land. But fate also brings Tristan, a warrior whose secrets will tear them apart. Riva, Keyne and Sinne become entangled in a web of treachery and heartbreak, and must fight to forge their own paths. It’s a story that will shape the destiny of Britain.Sistersong is a powerfully moving story, perfect for readers who loved Naomi Novik’s Uprooted and Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale.

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Book SynopsisPre-order the next captivating folkloric fantasy, Song of the Huntress, now!In a magical ancient Britain, bards sing a story of treachery, love and death. This is that story. For fans of Madeline Miller's Circe, Lucy Holland's Sistersong retells the folk ballad ‘The Twa Sisters'.'A captivating spell of myth and magic' – Jennifer Saint, author of AriadneKing Cador’s children inherit a land abandoned by the Romans, torn by warring tribes. Riva can cure others, but can’t heal her own scars. Keyne battles to be seen as the king’s son, although born a daughter. And Sinne dreams of love, longing for adventure.All three fear a life of confinement within the walls of the hold, their people’s last bastion of strength against the invading Saxons. However, change comes on the day ash falls from the sky – bringing Myrdhin, meddler and magician. The siblings discover the power that lies within them and the land. But fate also brings Tristan, a warrior whose secrets will tear them apart.Riva, Keyne and Sinne become entangled in a web of treachery and heartbreak, and must fight to forge their own paths. It’s a story that will shape the destiny of Britain.Sistersong is a powerfully moving story, perfect for readers who loved Naomi Novik’s Uprooted and Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale.Trade ReviewA beautiful reimagining of an old British folklore ballad, Sistersong weaves a captivating spell of myth and magic around the reader. Lucy Holland's lyrical prose and powerful storytelling will lure you into an eerie, intriguing world in which enemies lurk unseen, the threat of betrayal hangs heavy and sisterly loyalties are tested to their limit -- Jennifer Saint, author of AriadneSistersong is a fresh and gripping retelling of an ancient tale. Set in a realistic, gritty world, the nuanced, compelling characters are the heart of this story about family, love, loyalty and identity. I loved it -- John Gwynne, author of MaliceRooted in history but shot through with surprises, this takes ancient British myth and gives it a wonderfully fresh twist. The book combines timely themes around our lost connection with nature, the fluidity of identity and the power of claiming your own story with a haunting atmosphere and a rollicking pace. Lucy Holland is a brilliantly assured storyteller -- Molly Flatt, author of The Charmed Life of Alex MooreAstonishing! -- Ellen Kushner, author of SwordspointNo cream teas in this West Country fable: feast instead on a gory, gripping and magically mythic tale of love and hatred, loyalty and betrayal -- Daily MailBrilliantly written and full of memorable characters . . . If you like poetic reimaginings of mythology, such as Madeline Miller’s Circe and The Song of Achilles, you need to make sure to pick up Sistersong -- Grimdark MagazineA masterpiece of storytelling . . . a beautiful story of the complex and loving relationship between three sisters and how their relationship and strength influenced the lives of those around them -- TheBookBagBeautifully written and with a keen eye for historical detail, Sistersong demonstrates the power of these old familiar ballads when they are opened up to new perspectives -- TheFantasyHiveSistersong is such a fantastic read . . . complicated sisters, gorgeous creepy magic and a sublime sense of time & place -- Freya MarskeSistersong truly reads like a ballad – beautiful and mournful, a melody that sticks in your head. An absolutely stunning book -- Hannah Whitten, author of For the WolfFrom its opening pages, Sistersong transports you to a time period often overlooked, and spins a tale of family, loyalty, and the triumph of becoming the person you were always meant to be. I was utterly captivated from the beginning to the tragic, bittersweet end -- Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch's HeartSistersong is a marvellous tale, gracefully told in language as beautiful as the song that inspired it. It's a celebration of the power of sisterhood, the strength of earth magic, and the triumph, in the end, of fidelity to both. I fell in love with all three siblings, and I think you will, too! -- Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of WitchesMagical, beautiful, and heartbreaking, Sistersong keeps you turning the pages until the thrilling conclusion, both tragic and triumphant. Lucy Holland is a talent to watch -- Greer Macallister, author of Scorpia

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Book SynopsisThe Song of Achilles meets Mulan in He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan - a dazzling queer historical fantasy of war and destiny set in an epic alternate China, and sequel to Sunday Times bestselling She Who Became the Sun.'Transcendent, heart-wrenching' - Joanne Harris, author of ChocolatWhat would you give to win the world?Zhu Yuanzhang, the Radiant King, is riding high after her victory – one that tore southern China from its Mongol masters. Now she burns with a new desire: to seize the throne and crown herself emperor.However, Zhu isn’t the only one with imperial aspirations. Courtesan Madam Zhang plots to steal the throne for her husband. But scorned scholar Wang Baoxiang is even closer to the throne. He’s maneuverered his way to the capital, where his courtly games threaten to bring the empire to its knees. For Baoxiang also desires revenge: to become the most degenerate Great Khan in history. In the process, he’d make a mockery of the warrior values his Mongol family loved more than him.To stay in the game, Zhu must gamble everything on one bold move. A risky alliance with an old enemy: Ouyang, the brilliant but unstable eunuch general. All contenders will do whatever it takes to win. But when desire has no end, and ambition no limits, could the price be too high for even the most ruthless heart to bear?Praise for Shelley Parker-Chan:‘As brilliant as Circe . . . a deft and dazzling triumph’ – Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne'Magnificent in every way. War, desire, vengeance, politics – Shelley Parker-Chan has perfectly measured each ingredient' – Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange Tree'Shelley Parker-Chan is a genius' – Jen Williams, author of TalonsisterTrade ReviewTranscendent, heart-wrenching -- Joanne Harris, author of ChocolatHe Who Drowned the World blew me out of the water. Deep, dark and peopled with deliciously complex characters, this book will draw you irresistibly into a world of tragedy and triumph. Shelley Parker-Chan is a genius -- Jen Williams, author of TalonsisterA powerful historical fantasy filled with complex people and high stakes. . . . Paying equal attention to fierce battle scenes and deep conversations and filled with desperate decisions and brutal actions, this book is immersive and intimate -- Library Journal, Starred ReviewA heart-racing, emotional story that is also heartrending and shocking . . . The conclusion of the Radiant Emperor duology makes use of every last word and stamps this series onto the map as a new must-read of the fantasy canon -- Booklist, Starred ReviewEven better than the first . . . These novels beautifully capture the feedback loop wherein queer-coded characters are reviled, which drives them to unbearable viciousness, which in turn fills them with self-loathing. Parker-Chan’s characters struggle to break this cycle, and the nuance with which they’re portrayed makes us root for them. In the end, Parker-Chan seems to suggest, power belongs not to the most ruthless but to those who are most successful at self-forgiveness -- The Washington PostFans are not going to be disappointed . . . He Who Drowned The World was well worth the wait -- GlamourMesmerizing -- SciFiNowParker-Chan unrolls the painted scroll of her epic tale with the control of a master storyteller, revealing a dazzling new world of fate, war, love and betrayal. Fantasy will never be the same -- Zen Cho, author of Sorcerer to the Crown, on She Who Became the SunEpic, tragic and gorgeous. It will wreck you, and you will be grateful -- Alix E. Harrow, author of Starling House on She Who Became the Sun

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Book SynopsisRevolution's a bloodthirsty business . . . Scarlet is a thrilling reinvention of the tale of The Scarlet Pimpernel with the addition of magic and even more mayhem.Revolutionary France is no place to be, especially for aristocrat vampires facing the guillotine. But the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel are determined to rescue them. And they have an ace up their sleeve: Eleanor, a lowly maid from an English estate with a striking resemblance to French royalty.For Eleanor, the League and their legendary deeds are little more than rumour – until she’s drawn into their most dangerous plot yet. The mission? Travel to France in disguise, impersonate Queen Marie Antoinette and rescue the royal family. If they succeed, it’ll be the heist of the century.But there’s more to fear than ardent Revolutionaries. For Eleanor stumbles across a centuries-old war between vampires and their fiercest enemy. And they’re out for blood . . .Scarlet is the first book in the Scarlet Revolution trilogy, set during the turbulent French Revolution, and featuring all of Genevieve Cogman’s trademark wit and fast-paced plotting. It’s perfect for fans of The Invisible Library series, Kim Newman and Gail Carriger.‘I absolutely loved this’ – N. K. Jemisin on The Invisible LibraryTrade ReviewScarlet is utterly stunning. The intrigue and adventure keep you turning the page in this exciting tale of revolution, vampires and the guillotine. Cogman writes with beauty and wit to create a heroine we should all root for -- T. L. Huchu, author of Edinburgh Nights seriesYou don't need to be familiar with the tale of the Scarlet Pimpernel to enjoy this romp through revolutionary France . . . If you appreciate a solid historical setting and have a soft spot for vampires, you'll enjoy this first book in what promises to be an intriguing trilogy -- Lucy Holland, author of SistersongScarlet beautifully captures the high adventure of the Scarlet Pimpernel, yet weaves in a thoughtful exploration of class and revolution, a clever, sympathetic heroine finding her voice and her power, and a vampiric aristocracy who seem all too familiar. This book is a smart, swashbuckling joy. I loved it. -- H.G. Parry, author of The Magician's DaughterI absolutely loved this . . . flavoured with truly unique mythology and a dash of the eldritch. Such clever, creepy, elaborate world-building and snarky, sexy-smart characters! -- N. K. Jemisin, author of The Broken Earth Trilogy, on The Invisible LibraryIrene is a great heroine: fiery, resourceful and no one’s fool, she has a wonderfully droll sense of humour – much like the novel itself -- The Guardian on The Masked CityBrilliant and so much fun. Skullduggery, Librarians and dragons – Cogman keeps upping the ante on this delightful series! -- Charles Stross, author of the bestselling Merchant Princes series, on The Burning PageA fantastic addition to Genevieve Cogman’s oeuvre, and paves the way for a deeper exploration of the fantastic world that she has created. -- Fantasy Book Review on The Lost PlotCogman fills a captivating story with animated characters and propels the narrative at a cracking pace, planting perfectly timed plot twists and reversals of fortune along the way -- Guardian on The Mortal Word

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERA dark, evocative and unforgettable fantasy debut steeped in Hungarian history and Jewish mythology, perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and Katherine Arden.'Rooted in history and myth, The Wolf and the Woodsman is a stunning debut . . . It will twine like a dark forest around your heart.' Samantha Shannon, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree______________________________________A spirited outcast. A disgraced prince.A world where monsters roam free.In her forest-veiled pagan village, Évike is the only woman without power. So when soldiers from the Holy Order of Woodsmen arrive to claim a girl for their king's blood sacrifice, the villagers only have one person to offer up.But when they are attacked en-route to the capital, and everyone but Évike and a lone Woodsman are slaughtered, they have no choice but to rely on each other. Except he's no ordinary Woodsman - he's the disgraced prince, Gáspár Bárány, whose father needs pagan magic to consolidate his power.As they travel from the bitter northern tundra to the smog-choked capital, they form a tenuous pact that slowly turns their loathing turns to affection. But trust is easily betrayed, and as Évike discovers her own hidden magic, she and Gaspar must decide where their loyalties really lie . . .______________________________________'Entertaining, appealing, and strikingly imagined' Tor.com'An intricate, gut-wrenching fantasy that will set the bar for dark historical fantasy for years to come.' The Book Report'Gorgeously written and grimly real' Alix Harrow'A grown-up, complicated, angsty, sexy, dark book' Cultured Vulture'Richly imagined, densely textured, and endlessly delightful' Katherine Addison'A powerful feminist story about acceptance, The Wolf and the Woodsman is perfect for fans of The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden' British Fantasy SocietyTrade ReviewRooted in history and myth, The Wolf and the Woodsman is a stunning debut - a powerful and haunting tale of a young woman's will to live, of love flowering in defiance of tyranny. It will twine like a dark forest around your heart. * Samantha Shannon, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree *Written with a timelessness of spirit, a magical world that knows no bounds, and characters who will make your heart pound and your eyes well up, The Wolf and the Woodsman is an intricate, gut-wrenching fantasy that will set the bar for dark historical fantasy for years to come. * The Book Report *A thought-provoking, thrilling magical twist on the history of religion and politics that I couldn't put down . . . stunningly rendered * S.A. Chakraborty, bestselling author of The Empire of Gold *A striking debut . . . Entertaining, appealing, and strikingly imagined * Tor.com *Gorgeously written and grimly real, The Wolf and the Woodsman is a bloody fable about two people caught in the jaws of history. It quite literally took my breath away. * Alix E. Harrow, Hugo-award winning author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January *A seriously impressive debut novel . . . grown-up, complicated, angsty, sexy, dark book - and one that I will be recommending far and wide * Cultured Vulture *Beautiful and gut wrenching . . . It's a fundamentally Jewish tale that gripped me from beginning to end. A riveting debut that will keep you up all night, desperately chasing the heart-pounding conclusion. * Victoria Lee, author of The Fever King *A richly imagined exploration of faith and folklore . . . lushly written and thoroughly evocative * Culturess *The Wolf and the Woodsman, beautifully written and expertly told, is a darkly magical tale from beginning to end. I was equal parts terrified and delighted, somehow swept away and grounded in a world as beautiful as it is deadly. * Isabel Ibañez, author of Woven in Moonlight *Compelling, complicated, and worthwhile * Kirkus *Évike may be the only one in her village without 'powers,' but that doesn't stop her from being an in-your-face heroine who stands up for the things she believes in and never backs down. Reid has crafted a story that is not only relevant for our times, but has timelessness about it that truly makes it shine. The Wolf and the Woodsman is not a book I will soon forget. * Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch’s Heart *Examines religious freedom through the lens of myth and magic . . . The convincing enemies-to-lovers romance, fascinating religion-based magic system, and thoughtful examination of zealotry make this a notable debut. * Publishers Weekly *Combining religion, magic, and evocative language, Ava Reid has created a daring fantasy world full of imagination and fierce heroics. * Luanne G. Smith, bestselling author of The Vine Witch *Rich with vivid description, fantastical monsters, and magic unmatched by most other books for its pure physicality, this story may be strongly influenced by Jewish folklore, but the voice is original, perhaps as it's refreshingly female. * The Jewish Book Council *I enjoyed The Wolf and the Woodsman very much. Évike is a memorable protagonist, deeply flawed but trying, almost despite herself, to do the right thing. The writing is assured and compelling throughout, and the worldbuilding is richly imagined, densely textured, and endlessly delightful. * Katherine Addison, author of The Goblin Emperor *Ava Reid has boldly announced herself as a literary force with The Wolf and the Woodsman. The novel is impressive in its beauty, characters, and uncompromising nature and is all the more impressive for being Reid's debut novel. * SFF World *The Wolf and The Woodsman is one hell of a ride. Évike is an unlikely heroine, torn by warring duties and identities but despite it all, she discovers a power that could save a nation from itself. But only if she lives. I couldn't put it down. * Greta Kelly, author of The Frozen Crown *A powerful feminist story about acceptance, The Wolf and the Woodsman is perfect for fans of The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden and John Gwynne's The Shadow of the Gods. * British Fantasy Society *One of the best books I've read this year. From page one, I could tell that I was in expert hands . . . Juniper & Thorn is out there waiting for you to read it and be seen in a way you've been aching for. Please go and read it. * Tor.com *

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Book Synopsis''A tale of fear and survival, hope and yearning and defiance, in timelessly elegant prose. It will enchant you, break your heart, and chill you to the very marrow.' Samantha Shannon on The Wolf and the WoodsmanFrom the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Wolf and the Woodsman comes a gothic retelling of The Juniper Tree, where a young witch seeks to discover her identity and escape the domination of her abusive wizard father. Perfect for fans of Angela Carter, Catherynne M. Valente and Shirley Jackson_________________________________A gruesome curse. A city in upheaval. A monster with unquenchable appetites.Marlinchen and her sisters are the last true witches in a city shifting from magic to industry. Viewed as little more than tourist traps, they spend their days treating clients with archaic remedies and nostalgic charm, while attempting to placate their tyrannical, xenophobic wizard father, who keeps his daughters locked away in their crumbling home.But at night, they sneak out to revel in the city's thrills, particularly the recently established ballet theatre, where Marlinchen meets a dancer who quickly captures her heart. But as their late-night trysts grow more fervent and frequent, so does the threat of her father's rage. And while their city flourishes, a monster lurks in its midst, borne of intolerance and resentment and suffused with old-world power.Sunday Times bestseller, June 2022 (w/c 27th June 2022)Trade ReviewA tale of fear and survival, hope and yearning and defiance, in timelessly elegant prose. It will enchant you, break your heart, and chill you to the very marrow. * Samantha Shannon, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree *Utterly astonishing . . . Juniper & Thorn is the dark fairytale brought to perfection: terrible, and true, and full of teeth. * Shelley Parker-Chan, Sunday Times bestselling author of She Who Became the Sun *A gothic masterpiece. Reid weaves threads of unsettling horror and abuse with astonishing empathy. * Kat Dunn, author of Dangerous Remedy *Reid expertly weaves a dark and delightful tale that packs a sting. Love, betrayal, and a heroine for our time. I absolutely loved this novel. * T. L. Huchu, author of The Library of the Dead *Thrumming with feminist power, and riveting in its worldbuilding, Juniper & Thorn is an unforgettable tale. * Ausma Zehanat Khan, author of The Bladebone *

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Book Synopsis_____________________Welcome to the Winter Garden. Open only at 13 o'clock.You are invited to enter an unusual competition.I am looking for the most magical, spectacular, remarkable pleasure garden this world has to offer.On the night her mother dies, 8-year-old Beatrice receives an invitation to the mysterious Winter Garden. A place of wonder and magic, filled with all manner of strange and spectacular flora and fauna, the garden is her solace every night for seven days. But when the garden disappears, and no one believes her story, Beatrice is left to wonder if it were truly real.Eighteen years later, on the eve of her wedding to a man her late father approved of but she does not love, Beatrice makes the decision to throw off the expectations of Victorian English society and search for the garden. But when both she and her closest friend, Rosa, receive invitations to compete to create spectacular pleasure gardens - with the prize being one wish from the last of the Winter Garden's magic - she realises she may be closer to finding it than she ever imagined.Now all she has to do is win.Trade ReviewAn entertaining and thought provoking fable * SFX *Compelling reading in this dark but enchanting historical fantasy * Daily Mail *An enchanting and moving story of love, loss and rivalry . . . the perfect novel to read as autumn settles upon our gardens and the icy chill of winter begins to creep in * Culturefly *A mesmerising, stunningly crafted story of loss and the importance of dreams * Waterstones *Interweaves darkness and whimsy, using the contrasts of painful reality and sparkling magic. * Fantasy Hive *

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Book SynopsisTHE CONDUCTOR'S FILM RIGHTS NOW OPTIONED BY QUEEN LATIFAHIn the exciting sequel to The Conductors, and the second book in the Murder & Magic series of historical fantasy novels set in post-Civil war Philadelphia, Hetty Rhodes and her husband, Benjy face a case bigger and more dangerous than anything they've handled before.___________________________________Freedom comes at a cost...Hetty and Benjy have another death on their hands: Raimond Duval, a victim of one of the many fires consuming Philadelphia. His death is officially declared an accident, but Hetty and Benjy smell something more than just ash in the air. Their investigations point to a powerful Fire Company, known to let homes in the Black community burn to the ground, but before they can investigate further, Raimond's son, Valentine, is also found dead.It quickly becomes clear that there is something more here, something that connects Raimond and Valentine to the recent fires plaguing the city, and Hetty and Benjy have never been the kind to step aside.But this feels larger than the cases that have come before and now their lives hang in the balance. After all, even the most powerful magic can't hold back the ghosts of the past.Trade ReviewREVIEWS FOR THE CONDUCTORS___________________________ * Nicole Glover *Community dynamics mixed with a magical alternate Reconstruction era mystery. The Conductors has all the elements I was looking for in a good story. * Mary Robinette Kowal, Hugo Award-winning author of The Calculating Stars *An Underground Railroad-but with magic. With compelling characters and wondrous worldbuilding, Glover weaves a tangled mystery of murder, spellwork, and freedom, amid the remnants of slavery's lingering memories. * P. Djèlí Clark, Nebula Award–winning author of Ring Shout *The Conductors is a seamless blending of magic, mystery and history, creating power and wonder with its rarefied glimpse of Black life in the late-1800s. The Vigilance Society and the magic-wielding couple at the core of this story are a welcome addition to the growing chorus of voices in Black speculative fiction. Glover's worldbuilding, characters, and attention to historical detail create a delightfully genre-bending debut! * Tananarive Due, American Book Award winner, author of Ghost Summer: Stories *Nicole Glover blends historical detail and magical elements into an unforgettable debut. The Conductors is a wholly original and thoroughly riveting story. This is no doubt the first of many brilliant books to come. * Deanna Raybourn, New York Times best-selling author of A Murderous Relation *

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Book SynopsisTake flight with the ender dragon in this official Minecraft novel! When a desert town is threatened by illager raids, a young adventurer turns to a newborn dragon to save her home. Zetta is the best potion-maker in the village of Sienna Dunes. Okay, maybe she's the only potion-maker in the village of Sienna Dunes. And maybe her potions don't exactly work like they're supposed to all the time. But when her village is menaced by a pack of illagers, only Zetta can see that the traditional ways won't keep Sienna Dunes safe anymore. Zetta journeys to her eccentric aunt's workshop outside town to search for an answer and finds a lot more than she bargained for. A mysterious egg hatches into a scaly creature with purple eyes, black wings, and poisonous breath. It can't possibly be the mythical ender dragon . . . can it? And if it is, can Zetta raise it to be the savior her village needs?The threat of the illagers is growing fast, and Zetta's accidental dragon is growing even faster. With the help of her two best friends and her daydreaming little cousin, Zetta must train the scariest (and scaliest) baby in the Overworld. But when the dragon is fully grown, will it save Sienna Dunes? Or will it spell the village's end?

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Book SynopsisThe much-anticipated stand-alone prequel to the bestselling Queen of the Tearling trilogy . . . A decadent kingdom . . . a descent into darkness . . . alliances forged under fire . . . a prophecy that will change the course of history . . . 'A suspenseful, multi-layered tale' Cassandra Clare 'A must-read for fans of the Tearling!' Helene Wecker 'Dark and timely' Kim Harrison The Tearling has reverted to feudalism, a far cry from the utopia it was founded to be. As the gap between rich and poor widens and famine threatens the land, sparking unrest, rumours of a prophecy begin to spread: a great hope, a True Queen who will rise up and save the kingdom.But rumours will not help Lazarus, a man raised to kill in the brutal clandestine underworld of the Creche, nor Aislinn, a farm girl who must reckon with her own role in the growing rebellion. And in the Keep, the crown princess, Elyssa, finds herself torn between duty to the throne and the lure of a group of fierce idealists who promise radical change. But Elyssa must choose quickly, before a nefarious witch and her shadowy master use dark magic to decide for her. It is only a matter of time before all three will be called into the service of something bigger than they have ever imagined: the fight for a better world.Trade ReviewA suspenseful, multi-layered tale of how the sparks of revolution are kindled, and of those who strive to ignite them.A page-turning prequel that fans of the Queen of the Tearling series are sure to love . . . Dark and timely, Beneath the Keep is a study in delicious contrasts with political intrigue set against gritty survival, of excess born in bone-chilling deprivation, of high values falling to shocking, base desires. And, of course, magic struggling to rise over cruel, brute force.A many-layered tale of intrigue and revolution . . . adds new depth - and not a few surprises - to Erika Johansen's acclaimed Tearling trilogy. The prequel deftly sets the stage for Queen Kelsea's reign, as factions jockey for power over the throne and an uprising gathers in the shadows. A must-read for fans of the Tearling!An impressive feat . . . a spellbinding prequel that works just as well as a standalone . . . the steadily building tension carries the story forward. New and old fans alike are sure to be taken in. * PUBLISHERS WEEKLY *

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Book Synopsis'A deliciously dark twist on Romeo and Juliet' Natasha Ngan, New York Times bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire In glittering Shanghai, a monster awakens . . . The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery. A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city in chaos. Juliette Cai is the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang - a network of criminals far above the law. Roma Montagov is the prodigal son of her greatest rivals, the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. He is also Juliette's first love . . . and first betrayal. When a deadly madness strikes gangsters on both sides, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, and a monster in the shadows. And as the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns - and grudges - aside and work together. For if they can't stop this mayhem, there will be no city left to rule. Filled with romance, intrigue and betrayal, this heart-stopping fantasty retelling of Romeo and Juliet is perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Descendant of the Crane.Praise for Chloe Gong'Heady, smart, and vicious' Tessa Gratton, author of The Queens of Innis Lear 'Deliciously dark' Natasha Ngan, New York Times bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire 'Dark and beautiful' Emiko Jean, author of Empress of all Seasons'A terrific, deliciously unputdownable read' June Hur, author of The Silence of BonesTrade ReviewA deliciously dark twist on Romeo and Juliet that feels vibrant, modern, and wholly exciting. Gong's writing brims with energy. I was swept away to her dark Shanghai from the first page and never wanted to leave! * Natasha Ngan, New York Times bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire *Heady, smart, and vicious, These Violent Delights strikes every note with precision, layering romance and politics into a roaring 20s Shanghai of both monsters and monstrous imperialism * Tessa Gratton, author of The Queens of Innis Lear *Chloe Gong's These Violent Delights plants a Shakespearean classic in the rich soil of 1920s Shanghai, allowing her characters to grow, flourish, and steal your heart while warring against their own * Joan He, author of Descendant of the Crane *Gong ensnares readers with a delicious tale of family rivalries and forbidden love all set against the glittering backdrop of 1920s Shanghai. Don't miss this dark and beautiful retelling of Romeo and Juliet! * Emiko Jean, author of Empress of All Seasons *Full of glitter, suspense and gore, These Violent Delights takes readers into the perilous world of 1926 Shanghai . . . Chloe Gong's debut is a terrific, deliciously unputdownable read! * June Hur, author of The Silence of Bones *These Violent Delights combines strong characterisation, skilfully interwoven political insight and an atmospheric portrayal of a Shanghai in the throes of change * Guardian *A lush, wholly original debut that will satiate Shakespeare aficionados and draw those seeking an engrossing, multifaceted historical fantasy * Publishers Weekly, Starred Review *A must-read with a conclusion that will leave readers craving more * Kirkus Starred Review *The setting's brilliant, a city split by merchant colonies and divided into gang territories, in a country itself fractured politically and on the verge of revolution * SFX *Filled with Gong's lush prose, These Violent Delights brings 1920s Shanghai to life, along with a romance that is weighed with history * BookRiot *Stylish and engrossing * Popsugar *A rip-roaring, magic-tinged epic of cabarets and speakeasies, dens and divas . . . Gong's vivid Shanghai is a place to get enjoyably lost in * Financial Times *Gong's darkly seductive YA debut transplants Romeo and Juliet to 20s Shanghai for a gripping story of rival gangs, forbidden love and a plague that threatens to tear the city asunder * The i *The Bard would surely approve * The New York Times, Book Review *These Violent Delights is a phenomenal book and a wonder of a debut . . . Chloe has written star-crossed lovers/lovers-to-enemies like I've never read before, and if you love yearning, then trust me: you'll love These Violent Delights * The Quiet Pond *This is the kind of book where I sort of just want to open my mouth and let the words expressing my love tumble out with abandon . . . I truly loved everything about this book * The Elven Warrior *More than anything, These Violent Delights is a rich portrait of a seldom-depicted time and place * NPR *An unforgettable reimagining of Romeo and Juliet * ALA Booklist, starred review *These Violent Delights is a superior fantasy novel; multi-layered, diverse and reflective in its themes, whilst at the same time offering up the kind of darkness, romance and emotion that leaves you yearning for more - not just more of this particular story and its endearing, complex characters - which we've already been promised - but more from Chloe Gong beyond her star-crossed lovers too * Culturefly *Chloe Gong does expertly what all the best retellings do. She doesn't simply transpose her source material into a new setting, she engages with the spirit of the original and in doing so crafts a story that is entirely and beautifully her own . . . I cannot recommend this book strongly enough * Chaipters *Gong's debut is not to be missed. With a dazzling setting, a mysterious series of murders, and diverse, unapologetically criminal characters, this novel ranks with the greatest YA ­retellings * School Library Journal, starred review *Top 10 fantasy reads: 'Reinvented and better than ever' * Belfast Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisThe year is 1927, and Shanghai teeters on the edge of revolution.The heartstopping follow up to These Violent Delights, an imaginative, alluring retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in 1920s Shanghai.After sacrificing her relationship with Roma to protect him from the blood feud, Juliette has been a girl on the warpath. One wrong move, and her cousin will step into usurp her place as the Scarlet Gang's heir. The only way to save the boy she loves from the wrath of the Scarlets is to have him want her dead for murdering his best friend in cold blood. If Juliette were actually guilty of the crime Roma believes she committed, his rejection might sting less.Roma is still reeling from Marshall's death, and his cousin Benedikt will barely speak to him. Roma knows it's his fault for letting the ruthless Juliette back into his life, and he's determined to set things right - even if that means killing the girl he hates and loves with equal measure.Then a new monstrous danger emerges in the city, and though secrets keep them apart, Juliette must secure Roma's cooperation if they are to end this threat once and for all. Shanghai is already at a boiling point: The Nationalists are marching in, whispers of civil war brew louder every day, and gangster rule faces complete annihilation. Roma and Juliette must put aside their differences to combat monsters and politics, but they aren't prepared for the biggest threat of all: protecting their hearts from each other.*** PRAISE FOR CHLOE GONG ***'Heady, smart, and vicious' Tessa Gratton, author of The Queens of Innis Lear'Deliciously dark' Natasha Ngan, New York Times bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire'Dark and beautiful' Emiko Jean, author of Empress of all Seasons'A terrific, deliciously unputdownable read' June Hur, author of The Silence of BonesTrade Review** PRAISE FOR CHLOE GONG **Chloe Gong's These Violent Delights plants a Shakespearean classic in the rich soil of 1920s Shanghai, allowing her characters to grow, flourish, and steal your heart while warring against their own * Joan He, author of Descendant of the Crane on These Violent Delights *Gong ensnares readers with a delicious tale of family rivalries and forbidden love all set against the glittering backdrop of 1920s Shanghai. Don't miss this dark and beautiful retelling of Romeo and Juliet! * Emiko Jean, author of Empress of All Seasons on These Violent Delights *A deliciously dark twist on Romeo and Juliet that feels vibrant, modern, and wholly exciting. Gong's writing brims with energy. I was swept away to her dark Shanghai from the first page and never wanted to leave! * Natasha Ngan, New York Times bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire on These Violent Delights *Heady, smart, and vicious, These Violent Delights strikes every note with precision, layering romance and politics into a roaring 20s Shanghai of both monsters and monstrous imperialism * Tessa Gratton, author of The Queens of Innis Lear on These Violent Delights *Full of glitter, suspense and gore, These Violent Delights takes readers into the perilous world of 1926 Shanghai . . . Chloe Gong's debut is a terrific, deliciously unputdownable read! * June Hur, author of The Silence of Bones on These Violent Delights *These Violent Delights combines strong characterisation, skilfully interwoven political insight and an atmospheric portrayal of a Shanghai in the throes of change * The Guardian on These Violent Delights *A lush, wholly original debut that will satiate Shakespeare aficionados and draw those seeking an engrossing, multifaceted historical fantasy * Publishers Weekly, Starred Review on These Violent Delights *A must-read with a conclusion that will leave readers craving more * Kirkus Starred Review on These Violent Delights *The setting's brilliant, a city split by merchant colonies and divided into gang territories, in a country itself fractured politically and on the verge of revolution * SFX on These Violent Delights *Filled with Gong's lush prose, These Violent Delights brings 1920s Shanghai to life, along with a romance that is weighed with history * BookRiot on These Violent Delights *Stylish and engrossing * Popsugar on These Violent Delights *A rip-roaring, magic-tinged epic of cabarets and speakeasies, dens and divas . . . Gong's vivid Shanghai is a place to get enjoyably lost in * Financial Times on These Violent Delights *Gong's darkly seductive YA debut transplants Romeo and Juliet to 20s Shanghai for a gripping story of rival gangs, forbidden love and a plague that threatens to tear the city asunder * The i on These Violent Delights *The Bard would surely approve * The New York Times, Book Review on These Violent Delights *These Violent Delights is a phenomenal book and a wonder of a debut . . . Chloe has written star-crossed lovers/lovers-to-enemies like I've never read before, and if you love yearning, then trust me: you'll love These Violent Delights * The Quiet Pond on These Violent Delights *This is the kind of book where I sort of just want to open my mouth and let the words expressing my love tumble out with abandon . . . I truly loved everything about this book * The Elven Warrior on These Violent Delights *More than anything, These Violent Delights is a rich portrait of a seldom-depicted time and place * NPR on These Violent Delights *An unforgettable reimagining of Romeo and Juliet * ALA Booklist, starred review *These Violent Delights is a superior fantasy novel; multi-layered, diverse and reflective in its themes, whilst at the same time offering up the kind of darkness, romance and emotion that leaves you yearning for more - not just more of this particular story and its endearing, complex characters - which we've already been promised - but more from Chloe Gong beyond her star-crossed lovers too * Culturefly on These Violent Delights *Chloe Gong does expertly what all the best retellings do. She doesn't simply transpose her source material into a new setting, she engages with the spirit of the original and in doing so crafts a story that is entirely and beautifully her own . . . I cannot recommend this book strongly enough * Chaipters on These Violent Delights *Gong's debut is not to be missed. With a dazzling setting, a mysterious series of murders, and diverse, unapologetically criminal characters, this novel ranks with the greatest YA ­retellings * School Library Journal, starred review on These Violent Delights *

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Book SynopsisThe year is 1927, and Shanghai teeters on the edge of revolution.The heartstopping follow up to These Violent Delights, an imaginative, alluring retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in 1920s Shanghai.After sacrificing her relationship with Roma to protect him from the blood feud, Juliette has been a girl on the warpath. One wrong move, and her cousin will step into usurp her place as the Scarlet Gang's heir. The only way to save the boy she loves from the wrath of the Scarlets is to have him want her dead for murdering his best friend in cold blood. If Juliette were actually guilty of the crime Roma believes she committed, his rejection might sting less.Roma is still reeling from Marshall's death, and his cousin Benedikt will barely speak to him. Roma knows it's his fault for letting the ruthless Juliette back into his life, and he's determined to set things right - even if that means killing the girl he hates and loves with equal measure.Then a new monstrous danger emerges in the city, and though secrets keep them apart, Juliette must secure Roma's cooperation if they are to end this threat once and for all. Shanghai is already at a boiling point: The Nationalists are marching in, whispers of civil war brew louder every day, and gangster rule faces complete annihilation. Roma and Juliette must put aside their differences to combat monsters and politics, but they aren't prepared for the biggest threat of all: protecting their hearts from each other.*** PRAISE FOR CHLOE GONG ***'Heady, smart, and vicious' Tessa Gratton, author of The Queens of Innis Lear'Deliciously dark' Natasha Ngan, New York Times bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire'Dark and beautiful' Emiko Jean, author of Empress of all Seasons'A terrific, deliciously unputdownable read' June Hur, author of The Silence of BonesTrade Review** PRAISE FOR CHLOE GONG **Chloe Gong's These Violent Delights plants a Shakespearean classic in the rich soil of 1920s Shanghai, allowing her characters to grow, flourish, and steal your heart while warring against their own * Joan He, author of Descendant of the Crane on These Violent Delights *Gong ensnares readers with a delicious tale of family rivalries and forbidden love all set against the glittering backdrop of 1920s Shanghai. Don't miss this dark and beautiful retelling of Romeo and Juliet! * Emiko Jean, author of Empress of All Seasons on These Violent Delights *A deliciously dark twist on Romeo and Juliet that feels vibrant, modern, and wholly exciting. Gong's writing brims with energy. I was swept away to her dark Shanghai from the first page and never wanted to leave! * Natasha Ngan, New York Times bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire on These Violent Delights *Heady, smart, and vicious, These Violent Delights strikes every note with precision, layering romance and politics into a roaring 20s Shanghai of both monsters and monstrous imperialism * Tessa Gratton, author of The Queens of Innis Lear on These Violent Delights *Full of glitter, suspense and gore, These Violent Delights takes readers into the perilous world of 1926 Shanghai . . . Chloe Gong's debut is a terrific, deliciously unputdownable read! * June Hur, author of The Silence of Bones on These Violent Delights *These Violent Delights combines strong characterisation, skilfully interwoven political insight and an atmospheric portrayal of a Shanghai in the throes of change * The Guardian on These Violent Delights *A lush, wholly original debut that will satiate Shakespeare aficionados and draw those seeking an engrossing, multifaceted historical fantasy * Publishers Weekly, Starred Review on These Violent Delights *A must-read with a conclusion that will leave readers craving more * Kirkus Starred Review on These Violent Delights *The setting's brilliant, a city split by merchant colonies and divided into gang territories, in a country itself fractured politically and on the verge of revolution * SFX on These Violent Delights *Filled with Gong's lush prose, These Violent Delights brings 1920s Shanghai to life, along with a romance that is weighed with history * BookRiot on These Violent Delights *Stylish and engrossing * Popsugar on These Violent Delights *A rip-roaring, magic-tinged epic of cabarets and speakeasies, dens and divas . . . Gong's vivid Shanghai is a place to get enjoyably lost in * Financial Times on These Violent Delights *Gong's darkly seductive YA debut transplants Romeo and Juliet to 20s Shanghai for a gripping story of rival gangs, forbidden love and a plague that threatens to tear the city asunder * The i on These Violent Delights *The Bard would surely approve * The New York Times, Book Review on These Violent Delights *These Violent Delights is a phenomenal book and a wonder of a debut . . . Chloe has written star-crossed lovers/lovers-to-enemies like I've never read before, and if you love yearning, then trust me: you'll love These Violent Delights * The Quiet Pond on These Violent Delights *This is the kind of book where I sort of just want to open my mouth and let the words expressing my love tumble out with abandon . . . I truly loved everything about this book * The Elven Warrior on These Violent Delights *More than anything, These Violent Delights is a rich portrait of a seldom-depicted time and place * NPR on These Violent Delights *An unforgettable reimagining of Romeo and Juliet * ALA Booklist, starred review *These Violent Delights is a superior fantasy novel; multi-layered, diverse and reflective in its themes, whilst at the same time offering up the kind of darkness, romance and emotion that leaves you yearning for more - not just more of this particular story and its endearing, complex characters - which we've already been promised - but more from Chloe Gong beyond her star-crossed lovers too * Culturefly on These Violent Delights *Chloe Gong does expertly what all the best retellings do. She doesn't simply transpose her source material into a new setting, she engages with the spirit of the original and in doing so crafts a story that is entirely and beautifully her own . . . I cannot recommend this book strongly enough * Chaipters on These Violent Delights *Gong's debut is not to be missed. With a dazzling setting, a mysterious series of murders, and diverse, unapologetically criminal characters, this novel ranks with the greatest YA ­retellings * School Library Journal, starred review on These Violent Delights *

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Book Synopsis*An Oprah Magazine Most Anticipated Book of 2021**A Woman & Home Top Four Literary Read**A lovereading.co.uk Star Book* And they lived happily ever after . . . didn't they?Cinderella married the man of her dreams - the perfect ending she deserved after diligently following all the fairy-tale rules. Yet now, two children and thirteen-and-a-half years later, things have gone badly wrong. One night, she sneaks out of the palace to get help from the Witch who, for a price, offers love potions to disgruntled housewives. But as the old hag flings the last ingredients into the cauldron, Cinderella doesn't ask for a love spell to win back her Prince Charming. Instead, she wants him dead. Endlessly surprising and wildly inventive, The Charmed Wife is a sophisticated literary fairy tale for the twenty-first century that weaves together time and place, fantasy and reality, to conjure a world unlike any other. Nothing in it is quite what it seems, and the twists and turns of its magical, dark, swiftly shifting paths take us deep into the heart of romance, marriage and the very nature of storytelling.'Dark and dreamy. Inside the plot, magic comes and goes. But inside the reader, it's all magic - all of us happily caught in Grushin's hypnotic spell.' - Karen Joy Fowler, author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves and The Jane Austen Book Club'Fall under its charms, I dare you' - Gregory Maguire, author of WickedA powerful, provocative and quite wonderful modern literary fairy tale. I danced through the deep dark magic of The Charmed Wife - long live the fairy tale that lives beyond "happily ever after".' - lovereading.co.uk'Surprising, darkly comedic and enchanting' - CNN'Genre-bending and darkly comic, Grushin's fourth novel is a weird and wonderful triumph.' - Oprah MagazineTrade ReviewDoes for fairy tales what Bridgerton has done for Regency England * Mail on Sunday *Pure escapism * Sun *The comedy is devastating in this autopsy of a marriage that dies of "happily ever after" syndrome. Seldom has such emotional realism been spied in the precincts of wild magic. This alumna of the Cinderella marriage is overwhelmed, over-enchanted, and so over it. Fall under its charms, I dare you. * Gregory Maguire, author of WICKED *Different and compelling * Daily Mail *Dark and dreamy. Inside the plot, magic comes and goes. But inside the reader, it's all magic - all of us happily caught in Grushin's hypnotic spell. * Karen Joy Fowler, author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves *Surprising, darkly comedic and enchanting * CNN *THE CHARMED WIFE is a thought-provoking, wickedly clever, and beautifully written fairy tale character study that enchants at every turn. Olga Grushin dissects fairy tales, marriage, and the messy human heart with a pen as sharp as any scalpel. * Melissa Bashardoust *Lush and powerful, The Charmed Wife is brimful of magic and the seething darkness that lies beneath the glittering surface of every good fairy tale. * Leife Shallcross, author of The Beast's Heart *In The Charmed Wife, Olga Grushin turns the fairy tale romance on its head, and then just keeps turning it, playfully, subversively, brilliantly: a feat of fierce imagination. * Jess Walter, author of Beautiful Ruins *A powerful, provocative and quite wonderful modern literary fairy tale, but if you enter expecting 'happily ever after' you'll be sorely disappointed. Rather than sugar and spice and all things nice, you'll instead find a novel brimming with exquisitely sharp and pointed attitude. Thirteen and a half years after Cinderella married the man of her dreams and she's had enough, she wants out. The prologue pierces love, and binds hate, firmly setting the tone, yet wicked humour and gentle observations also tickle the page. The echoes of well known fairy tales make themselves felt, adding to the enchantment. There is much to take delight in, yet beware, all magic is paid for and you'll need to be on the look out for hidden snares. I adore the tale that runs alongside the main story, of the two mice that accompanied Cinderella and live in a world circling through an entire civilisation. How easy it is to view what you want to see, rather than what is actually there. As the fairy tale splinters and a shimmer of reality breaks through, I found my thoughts tossed high in the air, and where they will land, I still don't know. So bright, so clever, and thought-provoking this just had to sit as a Liz Pick of the Month. I danced through the deep dark magic of The Charmed Wife, long live the fairy tale that lives beyond 'happily ever after'. * Lovereading.co.uk *

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Book SynopsisOne of Oprah Magazine's Most Anticipated Books of 2021! 'Genre-bending and darkly comic, Grushin's fourth novel is a weird and wonderful triumph.'And they lived happily ever after . . . didn't they?Cinderella married the man of her dreams - the perfect ending she deserved after diligently following all the fairy-tale rules. Yet now, two children and thirteen-and-a-half years later, things have gone badly wrong. One night, she sneaks out of the palace to get help from the Witch who, for a price, offers love potions to disgruntled housewives. But as the old hag flings the last ingredients into the cauldron, Cinderella doesn't ask for a love spell to win back her Prince Charming. Instead, she wants him dead. Endlessly surprising and wildly inventive, The Charmed Wife is a sophisticated literary fairy tale for the twenty-first century that weaves together time and place, fantasy and reality, to conjure a world unlike any other. Nothing in it is quite what it seems, and the twists and turns of its magical, dark, swiftly shifting paths take us deep into the heart of romance, marriage and the very nature of storytelling.'Dark and dreamy. Inside the plot, magic comes and goes. But inside the reader, it's all magic - all of us happily caught in Grushin's hypnotic spell.' - Karen Joy Fowler, author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves and The Jane Austen Book Club'Fall under its charms, I dare you' - Gregory Maguire, author of WickedTrade ReviewDoes for fairy tales what Bridgerton has done for Regency England * Mail on Sunday *Pure escapism * Sun *The comedy is devastating in this autopsy of a marriage that dies of "happily ever after" syndrome. Seldom has such emotional realism been spied in the precincts of wild magic. This alumna of the Cinderella marriage is overwhelmed, over-enchanted, and so over it. Fall under its charms, I dare you. * Gregory Maguire, author of WICKED *Different and compelling * Daily Mail *Dark and dreamy. Inside the plot, magic comes and goes. But inside the reader, it's all magic - all of us happily caught in Grushin's hypnotic spell. * Karen Joy Fowler, author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves *Surprising, darkly comedic and enchanting * CNN *THE CHARMED WIFE is a thought-provoking, wickedly clever, and beautifully written fairy tale character study that enchants at every turn. Olga Grushin dissects fairy tales, marriage, and the messy human heart with a pen as sharp as any scalpel. * Melissa Bashardoust *Lush and powerful, The Charmed Wife is brimful of magic and the seething darkness that lies beneath the glittering surface of every good fairy tale. * Leife Shallcross, author of The Beast's Heart *In The Charmed Wife, Olga Grushin turns the fairy tale romance on its head, and then just keeps turning it, playfully, subversively, brilliantly: a feat of fierce imagination. * Jess Walter, author of Beautiful Ruins *A powerful, provocative and quite wonderful modern literary fairy tale, but if you enter expecting 'happily ever after' you'll be sorely disappointed. Rather than sugar and spice and all things nice, you'll instead find a novel brimming with exquisitely sharp and pointed attitude. Thirteen and a half years after Cinderella married the man of her dreams and she's had enough, she wants out. The prologue pierces love, and binds hate, firmly setting the tone, yet wicked humour and gentle observations also tickle the page. The echoes of well known fairy tales make themselves felt, adding to the enchantment. There is much to take delight in, yet beware, all magic is paid for and you'll need to be on the look out for hidden snares. I adore the tale that runs alongside the main story, of the two mice that accompanied Cinderella and live in a world circling through an entire civilisation. How easy it is to view what you want to see, rather than what is actually there. As the fairy tale splinters and a shimmer of reality breaks through, I found my thoughts tossed high in the air, and where they will land, I still don't know. So bright, so clever, and thought-provoking this just had to sit as a Liz Pick of the Month. I danced through the deep dark magic of The Charmed Wife, long live the fairy tale that lives beyond 'happily ever after'. * Lovereading.co.uk *

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Book SynopsisTwo sisters. One brutal murder. A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself . . .From the #1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author Kerri Maniscalco!Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe - witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family's renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin . . . desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister's killer and to seek vengeance at any cost-even if it means using dark magic that's been long forbidden.Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked-princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia's side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women's murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems . . .Trade ReviewA delicious and intoxicating new fantasy by a master of murder and mayhem, not to be devoured on an empty stomach! * Elizabeth Lim, author of Spin the Dawn *A really enjoyable read filled with action, magic, intrigue and surprise . . . and just a bit of lust too! * Booksnest *A fast-paced adventure steeped in a luscious and dark world. Kingdom of the Wicked envisions a gothic, magical Italy as you've never seen before, filled with creatures of the night trying to steal your heart-in more ways than one * Chloe Gong, author of These Violent Delights *Read the book! I thoroughly enjoyed every page. From the fascinating characters, to the magical story and the gorgeous writing. I don't see a reason to not read the book. Witches, Witch Hunters, Magic, Demons, Italian cooking. What more could you possibly want? * Geek Galaxy *An intoxicating, tightly plotted feast for the senses with a dramatic cliffhanger * Kirkus *Every little piece of the story is meticulously curated into this amazing story that will leave you guessing until the very end . . . I genuinely loved all parts of this story, and I cannot wait for the next one! * The Nerd Daily *Maniscalco's richly imagined new series draws on Italian history and myth to create a page-turning story of murder and vengeance set in a world in which witches face persecution and "The Wicked" stalk the Earth * The i *Kingdom of the Wicked is a dark enemies-to-reluctant-allies-to-lovers fantasy that provides everything one could want from a book about witches and demons * But Why Tho? *Filled from start to finish with demons, murder, magic and so much delicious food, Kingdom of the Wicked is a page-turner through and through * United by Pop *Lyrical writing and an immersive atmosphere accompany a well-built world rooted in 19th-century Palermo, especially evocative descriptions of food prepared in the family's restaurant, while intriguing plot twists round off the novel * Publishers Weekly *If dark and twisty reads filled with witches and demons are your things, you'll want to visit the Kingdom of the Wicked. You won't be disappointed! * The Bookish Libra *

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestseller.One sister. Two sinful princes. Infinite deception with a side of revenge . . . Welcome to Hell. From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Kerri Maniscalco comes the sizzling and sweepingly romantic sequel to Kingdom of the Wicked. With the enigmatic Prince of Wrath at her side, Emilia sold her soul to become Queen of the Wicked and travelled to the Seven Circles to fulfil her vow of avenging her beloved sister. But the first rule in the court of the Wicked? Trust no one. And it quickly becomes clear that nothing in Hell is what it seems. Even Wrath, her onetime ally, may be keeping secrets about his true nature. But that suits Emilia just fine - she's got secrets of her own. Faced with backstabbing courtiers, princes who delight in fear, luxurious palaces, dazzling galas, and conflicting clues about what truly happened to her sister, Emilia finds herself on a mission to unlock the mysteries of her own past and uncover the answers she craves. As long as her sins don't catch up to her first . . .*** PRAISE FOR KERRI MANISCALCO ***'A delicious and intoxicating new fantasy by a master of murder and mayhem' Elizabeth Lim, author of Spin the Dawn'An intoxicating, tightly plotted feast for the senses' Kirkus'A fast-paced adventure steeped in a luscious and dark world' Chloe Gong, NYT bestselling author of These Violent DelightsTrade Review*** PRAISE FOR KERRI MANISCALCO ***A delicious and intoxicating new fantasy by a master of murder and mayhem * Elizabeth Lim, author of Spin the Dawn *An intoxicating, tightly plotted feast for the senses * Kirkus *A fast-paced adventure steeped in a luscious and dark world * Chloe Gong, NYT bestselling author of These Violent Delights *KOTC is the paper and words embodiment of the fire emoji ... it makes for the most sizzling, intoxicating scenes. Sexy, smouldering and fuelled with a passionate rage befitting Wrath himself, Kingdom of the Cursed does something that not all sequels can do: it outshines the book that came before * Culturefly *If there's one thing I know about Kerri Maniscalco, it's that she always delivers. A marked departure from the first book, this darkly beautiful, atmospheric seuel ramps up the steaminess and spice * Culturefly *

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Book SynopsisThree magical gowns. Two kingdoms on the brink of war. One chance to save them all.Maia Tamarin proved her skill as a tailor when she wove the dresses of the sun, the moon, and the stars, but it will take more than a beautiful gown to hide the darkness rising up within her, in the stunning sequel to Spin the Dawn. Maia Tamarin's journey to sew the dresses of the sun, the moon and the stars has taken a grievous toll. She returns to a kingdom on the brink of war, while Edan, the boy she loves, is gone - perhaps forever. No sooner does she set foot in the Autumn Palace than she is forced to don the dress of the sun and assume the place of the emperor's bride-to-be. But the emperor's rivals learn of her deception, and there is hell to pay - yet the war raging around Maia is nothing compared to the battle within. Ever since she was touched by the demon Bandur, she has been changing: losing control of her magic, her body and her mind. It's only a matter of time before Maia loses herself completely, but until then she will stop at nothing to find Edan, protect her family, and bring lasting peace to her home. The stakes are higher than ever in this breathtaking sequel to Spin the Dawn.** Praise for Elizabeth Lim **'Your next big YA series' Entertainment Weekly'A stunning tapestry of adventure' Washington Post'What an amazing creation!' Tamora PierceTrade Review** Praise for Elizabeth Lim **Your next big YA series . . . We've got our eye on this stylist blockbuster * Entertainment Weekly *Romance, artistry, and deep enchantment * Gregory Maguire, NYTimes bestselling author of Wicked *What an amazing creation! Every time I thought I knew where it was going, I was wrong. This is a white-knuckle read! * Tamora Pierce, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Tempests and Slaughter *Part epic adventure, part fairy tale, and part Project Runway, Spin the Dawn is a thrilling tale as rich as velvet and as exquisite as fine embroidery * Heidi Heilig, author of The Girl from Everywhere *A stunning tapestry of adventure * Washington Post *A fabulous fantasy . . . Sure to delight even the most jaded of fantasy readers * NPR *Lim weaves an enchanting narrative, with all the magic of a fairytale and the guts and grit of an epic adventure. Diverse folklore, imaginative worldbuilding and a brilliant lead character who wields creativity as skillfully as a weapon - this is a gem for all lovers of whimsical fantasy! * Natasha Ngan, NYTimes bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire *Beautifully written with a can't-wait-for-the-sequel ending, this breathtaking and fast-paced Silk-road inspired fantasy from the author of Mulan-retelling Reflection (2018) is sure to enchant readers beginning to end * Booklist *With strong storytelling and characterization and a pleasing romance, this will have broad appeal * Kirkus *

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Book Synopsis'Vampires are back, and they're more seductive than ever' Bustle, on The Beautiful The much-anticipated third entry in New York Times bestselling author Renee Ahdieh's sumptuous and thrilling series, The Beautiful. Odette is facing the final death. The Court of the Lions have done everything they can to save her but have failed. A healer from the Sylvan Vale could help her, but only Arjun Desai, as a half fey, can cross the boundary between realms. Arjun despises the Sylvan Vale, and in return, it despises him. But knowing it could save Odette, he returns, leaving the mirrored tare between the two worlds open and setting the stage for both love and war. It's mere days until Pippa Montrose is to wed Phoebus Devereux and become a member of his well-heeled family, offering salvation to her own. But Celine is missing. Pippa has no idea where her best friend has gone, but she's certain it's in the company of Sébastien Saint Germain and that Arjun can lead her to them. With the help of Eloise, the daughter of a powerful sorceress, Pippa discovers Arjun's gateway and slips through in search of her friend. But what she discovers on the other side is a dangerous, duplicitous world full of mischief and magic she doesn't understand . . . New York Times bestselling author Renée Ahdieh returns to enthrall readers with the third book in her seductive, atmospheric fantasy quartet.Trade ReviewOne of YA's biggest rising stars * Entertainment Weekly *This is a one of a kind book, by a singularly original author * Sabaa Tahir, author of An Ember in the Ashes on The Beautiful *Lushly atmospheric . . . Fans will clamour for the continuation to this captivating volume * Publishers Weekly on The Beautiful *A bewitching, exciting novel filled with extreme, imaginative characters . . . a story of genuine feeling and heart, which draws in the reader from the outset and keeps you engaged right through to the finale * Starburst Magazine on The Beautiful *Ahdieh brings New Orleans vibrantly to life * Kirkus on The Beautiful *A rich, vibrant world full of colour, and shadows, and dangerous attractions . . . Sumptuous and powerful * British Fantasy Society on The Beautiful *A wholly satisfying supernatural sequel * The Nerd Daily on The Damned *Expansive world building . . . romantic . . . steamy . . . Decadent escapism * Kirkus on The Damned *Forbidden romance and harsh consequences set up this highly anticipated sequel that will leave you wanting so much more * Seventeen.com on The Damned *Forbidden love, sultry romance, and clashing immortal factions fill this sequel . . . [and] will keep readers engaged * School Library Journal on The Damned *

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Book SynopsisSomething wicked this way comes...'This Gothic feminist mystery is just magic' Heat'For fans of eerie Gothic mystery, The Wayward Sisters has it all' The UpcomingInverness, 1769. On a freezing winter's night, astronomer Nancy Lockaby arrives at Blackthistle House, home to renowned Shakespeare scholar Caleb Malles, to assist him in his research. She hopes to forget all that has happened to her in London. Nancy initially finds herself captivated by Caleb's eccentric mind and deep passion for Macbeth. So, when she is warned by three mysterious women that Caleb is keeping secrets from her, she is dismissive - after all, the women also claim to have lived many centuries and possess powers that defy any logical reasoning. Yet, as Caleb's behaviour becomes more erratic, she begins to suspect that she has walked into a trap.Offering a fresh, feminist perspective on literature's most infamous trio, The Wayward Sisters is an enthralling, intricately woven story of friendship, intrigue and magic. Trade ReviewThis Gothic feminist mystery is just magic. * Heat *For fans of eerie Gothic mystery, The Wayward SIsters has it all * The Upcoming *

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Book SynopsisAssassin. Immortal. Spy.From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights comes the first book in a captivating new duology following an ill-matched pair of spies posing as a married couple to investigate a series of brutal murders in 1930s Shanghai. It's 1931 in Shanghai, and the stage is set for a new decade of intrigue. Four years ago, Rosalind Lang was brought back from the brink of death, but the strange experiment that saved her also stopped her from sleeping and aging - and allows her to heal from any wound. In short, Rosalind cannot die. Now, desperate for redemption for her traitorous past, she uses her abilities as an assassin for her country. Code name: Fortune. But when the Japanese Imperial Army begins its invasion march, Rosalind's mission pivots. A series of murders is causing unrest in Shanghai, and the Japanese are under suspicion. Rosalind's new orders are to infiltrate foreign society and identify the culprits behind the terror plot before more of her people are killed. To reduce suspicion, she must pose as the wife of another Nationalist spy, Orion Hong. Although Rosalind finds Orion's cavalier attitude and playboy demeanour infuriating, she is willing to work with him for the greater good. But Orion has an agenda of his own, and Rosalind has secrets that she wants to keep buried. As they both attempt to unravel the conspiracy, the two spies soon find that there are deeper and more horrifying layers to this mystery than they ever imagined.PRAISE FOR CHLOE GONG'An electrifying, swashbuckling tale of intrigue and assassins, romance and betrayal' CASSANDRA CLARE'Amazing, show-stopping, spectacular' XIRAN JAY ZHAO'A dark delight' RENEE AHDIEH'Foul Lady Fortune had my heart pounding from the first chapter' ELIZABETH LIM'Chloe Gong has outdone herself' JOAN HETrade ReviewRaw, thrilling and dizzyingly romantic, Foul Lady Fortune is a marvel * Sangu Mandanna, author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches *Foul Lady Fortune is a rich and thrilling web of covert identities and competing ideologies, with a devastating slow-burn romance at its core. Gong has crafted an absolutely gripping and wonderfully confident start to a new series * Sunya Mara, author of The Darkening *An absolute fireball of a book. This is an impeccably slick murder mystery entangled in the backstabbing, claustrophobic world of spies and political machinations ... leaves you scheming, theorising and obsessing * The Nerd Daily *In the usual style of conspiracy thrillers, it contains rather a lot to keep up with: a large cast of characters, some with more than one name, some of them working for more than one side. But Chloe Gong unfolds it all with care ... over time, the reader becomes properly invested in her cast of young agents with messy lives * SFX *Filled with secrets, conspiracy and romance, this evocative slice of historical fiction from the author of These Violent Delights sees a young assassin fight for the greater good in 1930s Shanghai * Waterstones *I love a period piece and I love a little bit of fantasy in my books. Chloe Gong has been able to mix the two in her novels that are set in early 1900s Shanghai * Stellar.ie *When a story is this pacey and captivating, with such beautifully written characters, why wouldn't you want to read every book that shapes the world they exist in? * Culturefly *Equal parts intoxicating and dazzling, Gong's newest duology is enchanting and unmissable. Each page is a finely honed blade that goes straight to the heart * Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Gilded Wolves *

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Book Synopsis'You don't read this book so much as surrender to it. A dark and heady swoon' - Guardian He is trying to poison me. You must come for me, Noemí. You have to save me.When glamorous socialite Noemí Taboada receives a frantic letter from her newlywed cousin begging to be rescued from a mysterious doom, it's clear something is desperately amiss. Catalina has always had a flair for the dramatic, but her claims that her husband is poisoning her and her visions of restless ghosts seem remarkable, even for her.Noemí's chic gowns and perfect lipstick are more suited to cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing, but she immediately heads to High Place, a remote mansion in the Mexican countryside, determined to discover what is so affecting her cousin.Tough and smart, she possesses an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: not of her cousin's new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi's dreams with visions of blood and doom.Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family's youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family's past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family's once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.And Noemí, mesmerised by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to leave this enigmatic house behind . . .'This pitch-perfect Gothic tale is a delicious, delicious delight' - HeatPRAISE FOR MEXICAN GOTHIC'The subversive, seductive, satisfying haunted house story I didn't know I needed' - Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January'Moreno-Garcia's gothic plot is as sharp as a razor and twice as dangerous' - A. J. Hackwith, author of The Library of the Unwritten'Masterful . . . a gloriously moody adventure.' - Victor LaValle, author of The Changeling'Darkly brilliant and captivating . . . Moreno-Garcia enthralls with this twisty tale of love and betrayal' - Yangsze Choo, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Tiger and The Ghost Bride'Moreno-Garcia is a master who writes with a deft hand and a flare for beautifully evocative details' - Jenn Lyons, author of The Ruin of KingsTrade ReviewClever, wicked and winning. Moreno-Garcia well and truly hits the mark with Mexican Gothic * Angela Slatter, author of the World Fantasy Award-winning The Bitterwood Bible and Other Recountings *Blends chilling scenes of all-out horror with elements of traditional gothic . . . It's Lovecraft meets the Brontës in Latin America * Guardian *With peculiar characters, a family curse and enough suspense to hold the reader's attention, it is the perfect summer read * The Lady *This pitch-perfect Gothic tale is a delicious, delicious delight * Heat *Masterful . . . a gloriously moody adventure. Spooky, smart, and wry. Chic, no-nonsense Noemí Taboada is one hell of a tour guide through this world of mystery, scandal and spirits * Victor LaValle, author of The Changeling *Darkly brilliant and captivating. Readers who love old houses and family secrets will devour this book (as I did!). The setting itself - High Place, with its reputation for devouring the dreams of young women - is a character in this marvelously fantastical novel. From 1950s glamorous Mexican high society to the crumbling pride of an abandoned silver mine, Moreno-Garcia enthralls with this twisty tale of love and betrayal * Yangsze Choo, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Tiger and The Ghost Bride *Tense, atmospheric and beautifully written, Mexican Gothic will carry readers back in time to 1950s Mexico where a dark secret looms large, insidiously winding its way through the pages. A spellbinding, suspenseful, immersive read! * Chanel Cleeton, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of The Last Train to Key West *A gorgeous piece of work . . . absolutely terrifying, and it has stayed with me in a powerful way * Sarah Gailey, Hugo Award-winning author of Magic for Liars *So powerful I sometimes had to look away . . . plays all the classic Gothic tropes with deft confidence while weaving in a much more modern and visceral strain of horror * Vivian Shaw, author of the Dr Greta Helsing series *Stylish and sinister . . . a gothic masterpiece * Gwenda Bond, New York Times bestselling author of Stranger Things: Suspicious Minds *A fitting example of a new American Gothic novel, as Moreno-Garcia re-imagines this classic genre. You'll certainly find yourself caught between gasps of horror as you start to unravel this mysterious story, just remember to leave the light on as you sit down for a good read * Starburst *When it comes to the horror, though, Moreno-Garcia gets it absolutely right... it's enormously fun * Telegraph *Moreno-Garcia is having a blast playing with the conventions of Gothic literature * Locus *Moreno-Garcia writes with heated abandon . . . Mexican Gothic's fearsome storytelling can't be contained * Shelf Awareness *Moreno-Garcia weaves elements of Mexican folklore with themes of decay, sacrifice, and rebirth, casting a dark spell all the way to the visceral and heart-pounding finalé. Fans of gothic classics like Rebecca will be enthralled * Kirkus *Mexican Gothic terrified and fascinated me. Silvia Moreno-Garcia proves once again that she's a genre-jumping wizard, one of the most exciting and necessary authors writing today * Charlie Jane Anders, award-winning author of The City in the Middle of the Night *A shiver-inducing tale combining touches of Northanger Abbey with bits of the Gormenghast trilogy thrown in for good measure . . . a fascinating atmosphere of dark dreams and intrigue * Booklist *Moreno-Garcia's energetic romp through the gothic genre is delightfully bonkers . . . [getting] wilder and stranger with every chapter * Publishers Weekly *[An] original, well-paced novel . . . great gothic elements with a little VanderMeer creativity thrown in * Library Journal *An inspiring and totally original homage to Gothic stories of yore, Moreno-Garcia introduces readers to an awesomely creepy place and extremely evil family whose grip on power relies upon their ability to trap others in their venomous web . . . this is not your mother's Gothic tale * Becky Spratford, RA for All *Heart-thumping thriller-chiller * Lancashire Evening Post *This twisty horror fantasy is engrossing and wonderfully repulsive * Buzzfeed *A gothic chiller, set in 1950s Mexico, that will clamp you in its icy embrace and linger like a nightmare * Daily Mail *A gripping read and, despite the horror and violence of the story, it's a strangely beautiful one. This is an impressive chiller-thriller; the writing is steeped in the spirit of the Victorian gothic tale and it's as well done as any recent homage * Barry Forshaw on Crime Time *Immersive and suspenseful, Mexican Gothic is up there with this year's best novels * Culturefly *Intriguing and disturbing, what starts as a slow burn ends up an unsettling edge-of-the-seat page-turner * The Skinny *There are echoes of Mary Stewart and Daphne du Maurier, but Moreno-Garcia has plenty of satisfying twists of her own * i news *A superb fireside evening read * NB magazine *A pitch-perfect Gothic novel . . . You will be left unsettled, unsteady, and uncertain. You will also be left satisfied * NPR *The genre's palette is typically limited, but it doesn't necessarily have to be-as Mexican Gothic amply, deliriously, and gloriously demonstrates. No lazy afternoon spent reading it will ever feel wasted * Slate *It's as if a supernatural power compels us to turn the pages of the gripping Mexican Gothic * The Washington Post *A period thriller as rich in suspense as it is in lush '50s atmosphere * Entertainment Weekly *The books starts off with a mystery and slowly descends into horror that grips you to the page * Uptown Oracle *I love a good gothic horror novel and Mexican Gothic didn't disappoint * The Indian Express *Gripping, terrifying, atmospheric and suspenseful * Big Issue North’s best books of 2020 *A deeply, creepy read...builds to a strange, pulsing, psychedelic ending * SFX Magazine *This novel gives classic tropes a fresh and thrilling take * Big Issue: Top 5 books if you're into Gothic tales *

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Book SynopsisGangster, soldier, priest. Queen's Man. Governor.'If you haven't yet picked up this riveting and unique series, I highly recommend you do' Fantasy Book Critic Tomas Piety has everything he ever wanted. In public he's a wealthy, highly respected businessman, happily married to a beautiful woman and governor of his home city of Ellinburg. In private, he's no longer a gang lord, head of the Pious Men, but one of the Queen's Men, invisible and officially non-existent, working in secret to protect his country.The queen's sudden death sees him summoned him back to the capital - where he discovers his boss, Dieter Vogel, Provost Marshal of the Queen's Men, is busy tightening his stranglehold on the country.Just as he once fought for his Pious Men, Tomas must now bend all his wit and hard-won wisdom to protect his queen - even when he can't always tell if he's on the right side.Tomas has started to ask himself, what is the price of power? And more importantly, is it one he is willing to pay? 'If you like your fantasy with a side of dark and gritty, you won't want to miss this' CHRISTINA HENRY, bestselling author of The Girl in Red on Priest of LiesTrade ReviewStunning. Best book of the year by a spear length and then some * ANNA SMITH SPARK, author of Empires of Dust, on PRIEST OF GALLOWS *Mclean writes fantasy that feels slick, modern, and pulls few punches. Pacey writing lends subtle weight to the gritty themes explored as The War for the Rose Throne gathers ever more speed * ED MCDONALD, bestselling author of the RAVEN'S MARK series on on PRIEST OF GALLOWS *A brilliant story . . . that's full of invention, surprise and MacLean's knack for complex, morally grey characters * TRACK OF WORDS on PRIEST OF GALLOWS *If you like your fantasy with a side of dark and gritty, you won't want to miss this * CHRISTINA HENRY, bestselling author of The Girl in Red on PRIEST OF LIES *Utterly unputdownable * TRACK OF WORDS on PRIEST OF GALLOWS in 'Best SFF of 2021' *A brilliant world * GRIMDARK MAGAZINE on PRIEST OF GALLOWS *This series rocks! * FANTASY BOOK CRITIC on PRIEST OF GALLOWS *The first two books in this series were a great deal of fun so I had high hopes for book three. I'm glad to report that I was not at all disappointed. I'm beyond pleased to note that we are not quite done with the adventures of Tomas Piety and the rest of the Pious Men yet. Highly recommended * THE ELOQUENT PAGE on PRIEST OF GALLOWS *An enigma. It manages to be light and dark, clean but dirty, harsh but fair, full of love and equally full of death. It's an awesome story, one that grabs you from the first line and doesn't let go until the finale when it slams you to the ground * FANTASY HIVE on PRIEST OF LIES *The politics of The Godfather meets the grit of Gangs of New York . . . a dark, dirty, foul-mouthed triumph of grimdark gangster heist novels. If Locke Lamora (Scott Lynch) had a bigger, uglier, more violent brother, his name would be Tomas Piety. Amid the violence and the stink of the Ellinburg, though, there's camaraderie and trust, concern for the wellbeing of the poor and a rusty sort of honour among thieves * ANNA STEPHENS, bestselling author of the Godblind trilogy, on PRIEST OF BONES *Priest of Lies is pretty damn exceptional . . . the ending is stunning . . . an author who is on top of his game * GRIMDARK MAGAZINE on PRIEST OF LIES *A hell of a good time, and serves up a damn fine cliffhanger * FANTASY BOOK REVIEW *Clever storytelling and beautifully immersive prose. Priest of Lies digs deeper and hits harder, getting darker by the chapter, with astonishing surprises around each and every corner. I'm really looking forward to seeing what blood-soaked mischief Tomas gets into next. If you haven't yet picked up this riveting and unique series, I highly recommend you do * FANTASY BOOK CRITIC on PRIEST OF LIES *Managing to be exciting, narratively taut and a commentary on the terrible things war and violence do to people is no mean feat, but Peter McLean manages it with Priest of Bones. I wish I had written this * R.J. BARKER, bestselling author of Blood of Assassins, on PRIEST OF BONES *Let me just tell you that Peter McLean knows how to fucking write! * PARSECS AND PARCHMENT *This is the best entry into the series yet and I couldn't put it down * FANFIADDICT *I can't remember the last time I read such a consistently good series as The War for the Rose Throne. Characterization in these books is phenomenal * GEEK DAD *A powerful and moving urban fantasy that I found myself completely immersed in * MUSE’S BOOK JOURNAL *

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Book Synopsis'Praise be to Our Lady of Eternal Sorrows, and blessed be the Ascended Martyr.' Those were the words on lips of the faithful: Blessed be the Ascended Martyr, and woe betide you if you thought otherwise. The word Unbeliever had become a death sentence on the streets in those days.Gangster, soldier, priest. Governor, knight, and above all, Queen's Man.Once, Tomas Piety looked after his men, body and soul, as best he could. Then those who ran his country decided his dark talents would better serve in the corridors of power. Crushed by the power of the Queen's Men and with the Skanian menace rising once more on the streets of Ellinburg, Tomas Piety is forced to turn to old friends, old debts and untrustworthy alliances. Meanwhile in the capital city of Dannsburg, Dieter Vogel is beginning to wonder if the horror he has unleashed in the Martyr's Disciples might be getting out of control.With revolution brewing and tragedy and terrorism running rife in the cities, Piety and Vogel must each weigh the cost of a crown.Trade ReviewAn author at the top of his game * GRIMDARK MAGAZINE *If you haven't yet picked up this riveting and unique series, I highly recommend you do * FANTASY BOOK CRITIC oN WAR FOR THE ROSE THRONE *If you want a gripping, well written and brilliant fantasy series, you got it. * ANNA RELLIX, @annarella, on WAR FOR THE ROSE THRONE *Dark, gritty, brutal fantasy with the heart of a gangster family drama and the page-turning pace of the best crime fiction, it's just SO good! * TRACK OF WORDS on WAR FOR THE ROSE THRONE *Dark and full of menace, McLean's War for the Rose Throne belongs on the shelf of any fan of gritty fantasy * ED McDONALD, bestselling author of The Raven’s Mark series, on WAR FOR THE ROSE THRONE *I can't remember the last time I read such a consistently good series as The War for the Throne. Characterisation in these books is phenomenal. Each is flawed, many are brutal, but you can't help but feel an affinity for them. McLean's prose keeps you reading, as you hang out for the next revelation and revel in each glorious set-piece * GEEK DAD ON PRIEST OF GALLOWS *Utterly unputdownable * TRACK OF WORDS on PRIEST OF GALLOWS in 'Best SFF of 2021' *A page-turner, a gripping story * @ANNARELLA on PRIEST OF CROWNS *An absolute humdinger of a series. Tomas Piety is probably one of my favourite modern fantasy creations. He is such a compelling, flawed but noble character. The story and the culmination of the saga are deeply satisfying * GEEK DAD on PRIEST OF CROWNS *Priest of Crowns is an absolute page-turner, and through the last 80%, I literally sat on the edge of my seat. Peter McLean brings the War for the Rose Throne series to a gut-punching end, one that will be remembered for a long time coming. One of the best books of 2022 for sure. Praise be to Our Lady * QUEEN'S BOOK ASYLUM on PRIEST OF CROWNS *Phenomenol! A grim, powerful story that's full of tension . . . the powerful, explosive conclusion to the series. A series that has consistently impressed at every turn * TRACK OF WORDS on PRIEST OF CROWNS *Tomas Piety's swansong is everything you could hope for * THE ELOQUENT PAGE on PRIEST OF CROWNS *A bold, explosive conclusion with a real gut-punch ofan ending * THE FANTASY HIVE on PRIEST OF CROWNS *McLean has crafted a remarkable story with a distinct voice on the state of modern politics, and a cast of colorful, vibrant characters that brought the story to life. Unputdownable * NOVEL NOTIONS *Written with the momentum of an avalanche * Geek Chocolate *

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Book SynopsisPower always wins.Imagine Camelot but in Gotham: a city where Arthurian knights are the celebrities of the day, riding on motorbikes instead of horses and competing in televised fights for fame and money.'Arthurian legend meets urban fantasy in a brilliant, bloody wild ride' Jay Kristoff, Sunday Times bestselling author of Aurora BurningImagine a city where a young, magic-touched bastard astonishes everyone by becoming king - albeit with extreme reluctance - and a girl with a secret past trains to become a knight for the sole purpose of vengeance.The boldest, smartest, most adventurous fantasy I've read in ages' Krystal Sutherland, author of Our Chemical HeartsImagine a city where magic is illegal but everywhere, in its underground bars, its back-alley soothsayers - and in the people who have to hide what they are for fear of being tattooed and persecuted.Imagine a city where electricity is money, power the only game worth playing, and violence the most fervently worshipped religion.'King Arthur as you've never seen him before. The coolest thing you'll read this year' Samantha Shannon, author of The Bone Season and The Priory of the Orange TreeIn this dark, chaotic, alluring place, any dream can come true if you want it hard enough - and if you are prepared to do some very, very bad things to get it . . .Trade ReviewThis is an outstandingly well-crafted and absorbing urban/epic/alt-reality/mythic fantasy read * JULIET MCKENNA, author of the No.1 bestselling The Green Man's Heir *Arthurian legend meets urban fantasy in a brilliant, bloody wild ride * JAY KRISTOFF, No.1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author *King Arthur as you've never seen him before. Eve doesn't just capture lightning, but commands it, in a riveting tragedy of blood and desire. A masterwork of urban fantasy - and the coolest thing you'll read this year * SAMANTHA SHANNON, author of The Bone Season and The Priory of the Orange Tree *The screaming neon of Bladerunner meets the medieval steel of Arthurian legend in a world that's dizzying in scope and imagination. The boldest, smartest, most adventurous fantasy I've read in ages - and it's really f**ing fun * KRYSTAL SUTHERLAND, author of Our Chemical Hearts [movie out this year!] *This rocks! * FANTASY BOOK CRITIC *Prepare for a politically charged, addictive read * THE FANTASY HIVE *Blackheart Knights takes these familiar stories and makes them into something that is new and inventive - a gritty, grimdark take on a futuristic London. Well-written, compelling and packaged in a way that keeps the reader guessing. Think of this as an old-school thrash metal gig like Slayer or Metallica at their heyday - loud, fast, fun and satisfying as f*** * GRIMDARK MAGAZINE *Fun, gritty and imaginative twist on an Arthurian legend, it's an urban fantasy retelling where knights ride bikes rather than horses and compete in gruesome fights in an attempt to win money and fame. I haven't read anything like Blackheart Knights previously and I don't think I ever will again, it's a very unique contemporary take on a well-loved tale * LIBRARY LOOTER *This book is AMAZING! Honestly, everyone needs to read this. It blends the Arthurian legend we all know and love with an intricate and amazingly built urban fantasy world, and I completely devoured it. This has easily made its way onto my favourite books of the year! * CROOKS BOOKS *This book was a brilliant read, and I'd recommend it to people who are interested in slow-paced, character-focused fantasy with a lot of grittiness. I also loved how there's a lot of casual queerness in this book. It's always great to see this kind of casual representation. Now to wait not-so-patiently for the next one . . . * LUMINOSITY LIBRARY *I was sucked into this world of knights and magic. I loved the way the politics of the world was introduced and how Art's history fed into Red's journey. * CURIOSITY KILLED THE BOOKWORM *Book of the Month at READS RAINBOW * READS RAINBOW *A powerful and moving urban fantasy that I found myself completely immersed in * MUSE’S BOOK JOURNAL *Eve has created a rounded political fantasy novel that has all the twists and turns you would expect from a Le Carré novel. The bonus is that you also get cool fights, cool bikes, and cool leathers * SF Book Reviews *A vibrantly reimagined urban fantasy * PAR SEC MAGAZINE *The concept already had me desperate to get my hands on a copy, but the execution was so immaculate that I know I'll be reading Blackheart Knights over and over again. A fresh and fascinating retelling that manages to make Arthurian myth modern, bloody, and pretty darn sexy * Nia’s Book Fort *The most I've enjoyed an Arthurian retelling in a long time. I never felt like I knew exactly where we were going, which meant I stayed hooked * A Medievalist Reads *There's a wealth of imagination on show here * Cheryl Morgan, Salon Futura *A brilliant world not quite like anything I've ever seen before. It's strange, and delightfully different, and it's so beautifully cohesive. I loved every moment of it. It's unquestionably one of the best books of the year * Every Book a Doorway *

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Book SynopsisA half-drowned stranger turns up at the door of Garad Gaheris, retired King's Champion, with a hell of a story to tell. The ex-knight may have uncovered a conspiracy involving the very highest echelons of London's elite.'A riveting tragedy of blood and desire. A masterwork of urban fantasy - and the coolest thing you'll read this year' - SAMANTHA SHANNON on Blackheart KnightsCurrent King's Champion Si Wyll, a master illusionist, still reeling from the betrayal of his lover and the death of his mentor, is poised to become the most dangerous man in London. Then a figure from his past surfaces, determined to blackmail him into a plot to change the balance of power for good. 'A brilliant, bloody wild ride' - JAY KRISTOFF on Blackheart KnightsAnd the city's godchildren, those born with illegal magical abilities, have had enough of being put down - but who must die to ensure their ascension?Trade ReviewKing Arthur as you've never seen him before. Eve doesn't just capture lightning, but commands it, in a riveting tragedy of blood and desire. A masterwork of urban fantasy - and the coolest thing you'll read this year * Samantha Shannon, author of The Bone Season and The Priory of the Orange Tree *The screaming neon of Bladerunner meets the medieval steel of Arthurian legend in a world that's dizzying in scope and imagination. The boldest, smartest, most adventurous fantasy I've read in ages - and it's really f**ing fun * Krystal Sutherland, author of House of Hollow *Arthurian legend meets urban fantasy in a brilliant, bloody wild ride * JAY KRISTOFF, No.1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of Empire of the Vampire *Outstandingly well-crafted and absorbing urban/epic/alt-reality/mythic fantasy read * JULIET MCKENNA, author of the No.1 bestselling The Green Man’s Heir *

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Book SynopsisShould you find yourself in need of a discreet investigation into any sort of mystery, call on Jesperson and Lane . . . 'Arthur Conan Doyle would have approved,' says George R.R. MartinMiss Lane is puzzled by Jasper Jesperson's interest in what seems a very minor theft -possibly even a prank - from the storerooms at the British Museum. But London in the 1890s is rife with secret organisations, cults and individuals eager to acquire some of the legendary magic of ancient Egypt. The deeper the two detectives dig, the more hidden crimes they uncover, and the higher the death toll mounts. And at the centre of it all is the 'Mystery Mummy' recently acquired by the museum. 'Tuttle does a lovely job of putting us back in the foggy streets of Victorian London' George R.R. Martin, author of The Game of ThronesAre the deaths and madness truly caused by a mummy's curse? Or is there a scheming, living villain to be apprehended? 'A most engaging detective duo' Mark Douglas Home, author of The Sea Detective and The Woman Who Walked Into The SeaJesperson and Lane, with their experience of past investigations involving psychic phenomena and supernatural events as well as ordinary human criminality, are surely best placed to find the truth.Jesperson and Lane, at your service.Trade ReviewLisa Tuttle has quietly been writing remarkable, chilling short stories and powerful, haunting novels for many years now, and doing it so easily and so well that one almost takes it, and her, for granted. This would be as big a mistake as not reading Lisa Tuttle * NEIL GAIMAN *This John W. Campbell Award-winning author remains one of fantasy's best * PUBLISHERS WEEKLY *Whether fantasy or science fiction, Tuttle's stories generally centre on derangements within family units. Her touch is deft, chilly, exact * JOHN CLUTE, co-author of The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction *'One of the SF and fantasy & horror field's most urbane - and much under-appreciated - writers * MAXIM JAKUBOWSKI, LOVE READING *Sleepwalkers, psychics, and the spirits of the dead (or are they?) make for a heady stew in Lisa Tuttle's The Somnambulist and the Psychic Thief, the first full-length novel about Jasper Jesperson and Miss Lane, a dauntless duo of Victorian detectives first introduced in her stories for Down These Strange Streets and Rogues. They're an entertaining pair, and it's great to see them back in action in a longer work. Here's hoping this is only the first in a long series of Lane and Jesperson adventures. Tuttle does a lovely job of putting us back in the foggy streets of Victorian London in this lively, entertaining blend of murder mystery and supernatural adventure. Arthur Conan Doyle would have approved * GEORGE R.R. MARTIN on The Somnambulist and the Psychic Thief *A cleverly constructed, swiftly moving and absorbing plot * ParSec Magazine *Great fun * Concatenation *A delightful Victorian detective thriller with more than an air of magic and mysticism * SciFi Now *A well-designed crime story with an interesting premise and enough potential suspects to keep the reader guessing * SFBook Reviews *

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Book SynopsisShould you find yourself in need of a discreet investigation into any sort of mystery, call on Jesperson and Lane . . . 'Arthur Conan Doyle would have approved,' says George R.R. MartinMiss Lane is puzzled by Jasper Jesperson's interest in what seems a very minor theft -possibly even a prank - from the storerooms at the British Museum. But London in the 1890s is rife with secret organisations, cults and individuals eager to acquire some of the legendary magic of ancient Egypt. The deeper the two detectives dig, the more hidden crimes they uncover, and the higher the death toll mounts. And at the centre of it all is the 'Mystery Mummy' recently acquired by the museum. 'Tuttle does a lovely job of putting us back in the foggy streets of Victorian London' George R.R. Martin, author of The Game of ThronesAre the deaths and madness truly caused by a mummy's curse? Or is there a scheming, living villain to be apprehended? 'A most engaging detective duo' Mark Douglas Home, author of The Sea Detective and The Woman Who Walked Into The SeaJesperson and Lane, with their experience of past investigations involving psychic phenomena and supernatural events as well as ordinary human criminality, are surely best placed to find the truth.Jesperson and Lane, at your service.Trade ReviewLisa Tuttle has quietly been writing remarkable, chilling short stories and powerful, haunting novels for many years now, and doing it so easily and so well that one almost takes it, and her, for granted. This would be as big a mistake as not reading Lisa Tuttle * NEIL GAIMAN *A stylish, distinctive storyteller * WASHINGTON POST BOOK WORLD *This John W. Campbell Award-winning author remains one of fantasy's best * PUBLISHERS WEEKLY *Her ability as a storyteller is equalled only by her skill in portraying her characters with a few, precise words * SF SITE *Tuttle's work is a treasure trove, a vast and fearful kingdom in itself * THOMAS TESSIER, author of The Night Walker *Whether fantasy or science fiction, Tuttle's stories generally centre on derangements within family units. Her touch is deft, chilly, exact * JOHN CLUTE, co-author of The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction *Lisa Tuttle's short stories have a way of lingering long after you've read them . . . intelligent and well crafted * THE GOOD BOOK GUIDE *The whole book is delightful to read. Tuttle handles the nuances of the Victorian environment with skilful impeccability * BRITISH FANTASY SOCIETY ON The Witch at Wayside Cross *The story zips along in entertaining and enjoyable way, and it is very well written . . . the novel seems set up for a series. I certainly hope so * HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY on The Somnambulist and the Psychic Thief *'One of the SF and fantasy & horror field's most urbane - and much under-appreciated - writers * MAXIM JAKUBOWSKI, LOVE READING *Sleepwalkers, psychics, and the spirits of the dead (or are they?) make for a heady stew in Lisa Tuttle's The Somnambulist and the Psychic Thief, the first full-length novel about Jasper Jesperson and Miss Lane, a dauntless duo of Victorian detectives first introduced in her stories for Down These Strange Streets and Rogues. They're an entertaining pair, and it's great to see them back in action in a longer work. Here's hoping this is only the first in a long series of Lane and Jesperson adventures. Tuttle does a lovely job of putting us back in the foggy streets of Victorian London in this lively, entertaining blend of murder mystery and supernatural adventure. Arthur Conan Doyle would have approved * GEORGE R.R. MARTIN on The Somnambulist and the Psychic Thief *A cleverly constructed, swiftly moving and absorbing plot * ParSec Magazine *Great fun * Concatenation *

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Book SynopsisCan she find the courage to defy a king?In seventeenth-century France, Louis XIV rules with flamboyant ambition. In his domain, wealth and beauty are all; frivolity begets cruelty; science and alchemy collide. From the Hall of Mirrors to the vermin-infested attics of the Chateau at Versailles, courtiers compete to please the king, sacrificing fortune, principles, and even sacred family bonds.'A wonderful book! Adventure, love, history, magic - it's an engrossing story with magnificent characters, balanced perfectly on the edge between,' says DIANA GABALDONBy the fiftieth year of his reign, Louis XIV has made France the most powerful state in the western world, but the Sun King's appetite for glory knows no bounds. In a bold stroke, he sends his natural philosopher on an expedition to seek the source of immortality: the mythical sea monster. For the glory of his God, his country, and his king, Father Yves de la Croix returns with his treasures: one heavy shroud packed in ice . . . and in a covered basin, an imprisoned sea-creature.Marie-Josephe de la Croix has been looking forward to assisting her brother Yves in the scientific study of the sea monster, until she makes a discovery that will threaten everything her brother, the court and the King believe.'The finest alternate history ever, light-hearted and wise - a luminous, radiant novel,' said URSULA K. LE GUINBut in the decadent court of King Louis, where morality is skewed and corruption reigns, will anyone listen to a single voice? Somehow, she must find the courage to follow her heart and her convictions - even at the cost of changing her life forever.Trade ReviewThe finest alternate history ever, lighthearted and wise - a luminous, radiant novelA dazzling and spirited evocation of the passions, intrigues and preconceptions of the age: an enchanting slice of what-if historical speculation * KIRKUS *Successfully melds fantasy and alternate history to create a charming, well-written and meticulously researched novel * FANTASY BOOK REVIEW *McIntyre has done her historical homework, as is evident in a superbly realised setting, and she executes the plot with superior skill. A splendid historical fantasy that shows sf star McIntyre admirably opening new territory * BOOKLIST *A wonderful book! Adventure, love, history, magic - it's an engrossing story with magnificent characters, balanced perfectly on the edge between * DIANA GABALDON *The story thrives in the details . . . gives it a thematic richness and resonance that made me care deeply about the story * EYRIE *McIntyre vividly re-creates a Versailles poised on the cusp between alchemy and modern science. Her imaginings enliven her history with wonder, but, as in the best fantasy, they serve less to dazzle by their inventiveness than to illuminate brilliantly real-world truths - here, humanity's responses, base and noble, when confronting the unknown * PUBLISHERS WEEKLY *Fans of McIntyre, or simply alternate history fans and romantics who love an intelligent, compassionate heroine will devour this book, yelling in outrage at the men who belittle our heroine and sighing with delight when she finds love * FEMSCIFI *One of the most enjoyable and well-written novels I have read in a long time. The novel has got splendid characterisation, a tightly-woven plot, and a fascinating story. It's also obviously meticulously researched, and full of intricate details about the historical era in which it takes place. Read the book. It is a marvellous, fascinating, uplifting experience * JOHN WALTERS, author of ADRIANA’S FAMILY *An excellent alternative history * ARTSANDWINE *

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Book SynopsisMiss Lydia Bennet may be the youngest, but what she lacks in maturity and responsibility, she more than makes up for in energy, fun - and magic. In this exuberant reimagining of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Lydia Bennet puts pen to paper to relate the real events and aftermath of the classic story from her own perspective. Some facts are well known: Mrs. Bennet suffers from her nerves; Mr. Bennet suffers from Mrs. Bennet, and all five daughters suffer from an estate that is entailed only to male heirs. But Lydia also suffers from entirely different concerns: her best-loved sister Kitty is really a barn cat, and Wickham is every bit as wicked as the world believes him to be, but what else would you expect from a demon? And if you think Mr. Darcy was uptight about dancing etiquette, wait till you see how he reacts to witchcraft. Most of all, Lydia has yet to learn that when you're a witch, promises have power . . . Full of enchantment, intrigue, danger, and boundless magic, The Scandalous Confessions of Miss Lydia Bennet, Witch, has all the irreverent wit, strength, and romance of Pride and Prejudice - while offering a highly unexpected redemption for the wildest Bennet sister.Trade ReviewWildly inventive and utterly addictive. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm now 100% Team Lydia * Julia Quinn, author of the Bridgerton series *This book is pure joy. Absolutely rollicking and thoroughly delightful. Melinda Taub peered directly into my soul and gave me the adventure I needed, plus feisty witches in empire waist dresses and the Kitty of my dreams. I'll be over here, swooning on my fainting couch * Samantha Bee *A romping, lively retelling with surprises galore! It's a delight to see Lydia Bennet receive her due * Tamora Pierce *Witty, magical, romantic and altogether brilliant! There's so much more to Pride and Prejudice than we ever knew * Lev Grossman, author of The Magicians *What a delicious book this is - like Lydia, it's headlong, a little wicked, and irrepressibly fun. And if that weren't enough, it gave me an entirely new lens through which to appreciate Jane Austen's Bennet family. Melinda Taub writes with a forensic wit and understanding of the desire to be loved and understood, even when those two things stand in seeming opposition. And like Georgette Heyer at her best, or, indeed, Austen, she has the alchemist's touch which turns this exploration into something delightful * Kelly Link *Funny and fierce as Lydia Bennet herself, this book mixes witchcraft lore with Austen's story to make its own unique magic. I'll never look at Kitty the same way again..." * Claudia Gray *A delightfully rendered redemption of the much-maligned youngest Bennet daughter, Lydia; whose ill-advised actions that once threatened the Bennett sisters' futures is finally proven to be less a girlish folly and more the result of a sacrifice made meant to save them all. Filled with magic, mayhem and manners, Melinda Taub has crafted a world both familiar and strange, faithful and fantastic * Amiee Gibbs, The Carnival of Curiosities *Clever twist on Jane Austen's classic * Country Living *This is a masterpiece and a treat for any Austen fan * All About Romance *A delight for both Austen lovers and fans of magical adventure stories * Kirkus *Cleverly inserts Lydia's magical misadventures into the original story, creating something wholly original and utterly charming * Booklist *Infused with elements of English folk horror, this Regency-era comedy of manners makes for a lively, delightful adventure * Guardian *It's smart, it's in dialogue with the past but not bound by it, and it's trying to do a lot of interesting things at once * Concatenation *Infused with elements of English folk horror, this Regency-era comedy of manners makes for a lively, delightful adventure * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisA mortally wounded magistrate faces his deadliest trial inside an ancient abbey where the monks are going mad and the gods themselves may be to blame!Estevar Borros, one of the legendary sword-fighting magistrates known as the Greatcoats and the king's personal investigator of the supernatural, is no stranger to tales of ghosts and demons. When the fractious monks of the abbey rumoured to be the birthplace of the gods begin warring over claims of a new pantheon arising, the frantic abbot summons him to settle the dispute.But Estevar has his own problems: a near-fatal sword wound from his last judicial duel, a sworn knight who claims he has proof the monks are consorting with demons, a diabolical inquisitor with no love for the Greatcoats, and a mysterious young woman claiming to be Estevar's ally but who may well be his deadliest enemy.Armed only with his famed investigative talents, his faltering skill with a blade and Imperious, his ornery mule, Estevar must root out the source of the madness lurking inside the once-sacred walls of Isola Sombra before its chaos spreads to the country he's sworn to protect.Investigate alongside Estevar and the most heroic mule ever to appear in print in this thrilling swashbuckling fantasy mystery by Sebastien de Castell, author of the Internationally acclaimed Greatcoats and Spellslinger series!Crucible of Chaos may be read as a stand-alone fantasy novel and as a prelude to Play of Shadows, the first official novel in the Court of Shadows series!Trade ReviewA masterful blend of Sebastien de Castell's unique brand of wry humour, elegant prose, and wonderfully imaginative worldbuilding * Nick Eames on THE MALEVOLENT SEVEN *Chaotic energy, clever ideas and characters that stay with you after the final page * SFX on THE MALEVOLENT SEVEN *Brilliant and vivid world-building . . . riveting * Chad Stahelski, director of John Wick on THE MALEVOLENT SEVEN *One hell of a good book * Conn Iggulden on TRAITOR'S BLADE *With a tip of [the] hat at Alexandre Dumas . . fun from one cover to the other * Tor.com on TRAITOR'S BLADE *

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Book SynopsisIn this gorgeous and haunting fantasy set in 1930s Chicago, a talented ballerina finds herself torn between her dreams and her desires when she's pursued by a secretive patron who may be more than he seems."A mix of dreamlike fairytale and enchanting historical fantasy, Nocturne has a real flavour of Phantom of the Opera. Add in a touch of Beauty and the Beast and this is the perfect escape from reality." CultureflyGrace has always wanted to be a ballerina, ever since she first peered through the windows of the Near North Ballet company. The elegance of the dance seemed transcendent to an immigrant child of the working poor, and so, when she is orphaned, it is to the ballet that she flees.Years later, Grace is on the verge of becoming the company's new prima ballerina - though she is beginning to realise that achieving her long-held dream may not be the triumph she once envisioned. Then Grace attracts the attention of the enigmatic Master La Rosa, and realises that the world may not be as small or constricted as she had come to fear.But who is her mysterious patron, and what does he want from her? As Grace begins to unlock the Master's secrets, she discovers that there may be another way entirely to achieve the transcendence she has always sought.Trade ReviewIn Nocturne, Wees robes the classic story of Beauty and the Beast in lush prose and infinite splendor. A fever dream of a novel, surreal and intricate, and enchanting in every way. * Ava Reid, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Wolf and the Woodsman *Absolutely captivating, Nocturne is a delicious and radiant treat of a novel. Prepare to be spellbound! * Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of The Queens of Renthia series *An enchanting and lyrical fever dream bursting with dazzling prose and dark romance. Nocturne enthralled me. * Erin A. Craig, New York Times bestselling author of House of Salt and Sorrows *Nocturne reads like a fable, a mythical tale full of magical power, but imbued with the very real and wonderfully graceful power of ballet . . . You will be enchanted! * Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches *Richly imagined and heartbreakingly told, Nocturne is a lush gothic romance that will dance you dizzy. * Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf *

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Book SynopsisFollowing the events of the high-stakes and propulsive Uncanny Times, Rosemary and Aaron Harker, along with their supernatural hound Botherton, have been given a new assignment to investigate...but the Harkers believe it's a set-up, and there's something far more ancient and deadly instead.Rosemary and Aaron Harker have been effectively, unofficially sidelined. There is no way to be certain, but they suspect their superiors know that their report on Brunson was less than complete, that they omitted certain truths. Are they being punished or tested? Neither Aaron nor Rosemary know for certain. It may be simply that they are being given a breather or that no significant hunts have been called in their region. But neither of them believes that. So, when they are sent to a town just outside of Boston with orders to investigate suspicious activity carefully, the Harkers suspect that it is a test. Particularly since the hunt involves a member of the benefactors, wealthy individuals who donate money to the Huntsmen in exchange for certain special privileges and protections. If they screw this up...at best, they'll be out of favor, reduced to a life of minor hunts and ?clean up? for other Huntsmen. At worst, they will be removed from the ranks, their stipend gone and Botheration, their Hound, taken from them. They can't afford to screw this up. But what seems like a simple enough hunt find the uncanny that attacked a man in his office and sent him into a sleep-like state soon becomes far more complicated as more seemingly unrelated attacks occur. The Harkers must race to find what is shadowing them, before the uncanny strikes again, and sleep turns into murder and the Huntsmen decide that they have been compromised beyond repair. But their quarry may not be the only uncanny in town. Botheration and Aaron both sense something else, something shadowing them. Something old, dangerous...and fey.

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