“I love the magic Lucier weaves through this dark yet hopeful tale. I devoured it in one sitting!” —Kristin Cashore, author of the New York Times bestselling Graceling Realm books
"A beautifully crafted novel containing everything I love in an epic fantasy: complex characters and relationships, excellent world building, and a compelling story full of twists and turns." —Juliet Marillier, author of the Blackthorn & Grim and Warrior Bards series
A rich and captivating YA standalone fantasy that's perfect for fans of Brigid Kemmerer, Rachel Hartman, and Naomi Novik, from the writer whose stories have been called “brilliant” (Booklist), “masterful” (Horn Book), and “breathtaking” (School Library Journal). In the aftermath of a devastating plague, a young lord is determined to discover the truth behind a mysterious attempt to assassinate the young queen.
A Sickness to kill them. A Princess to save them. And a Reaper who will stop at nothing to reveal the truth.
Young Lord Cassia was destined for death, kidnapped and imprisoned by the enemy three years ago. Now he has escaped, the sole survivor of a deadly post-plague outbreak that has ravaged the kingdoms of Oliveras and Brisa alike. His survival has won him his freedom, at a cost: Cas is now haunted by the souls of those with unfinished business left in the realm, an unnerving new ability to see ghosts.
When Cas finally returns to his home in the mountains, he arrives just in time to celebrate the king and queen's newborn son. But when an assassin interrupts the festivities, Cas finds himself thrust into the dark underpinnings of royal intrigue and court life. Nothing is as he remembers, and his only solace is Lena, a royal historian with a penchant for stealing his horse and keeping him anchored to the present...even as the past rises to the surface.
For the more Cas learns about the new queen-a former princess of Brisa, an old enemy-the more he is certain she harbors secrets. Secrets that threaten the one person Cas holds most dear.
Lucky for him, the past never forgets, and the secrets of the dead aren't always buried with them.
- A Captivating Standalone: Perfect for readers who crave a rich fantasy world and a gripping, self-contained story with a satisfying conclusion.
- High-Stakes Fantasy Mystery: When an assassin targets the infant prince, Cas must unravel a conspiracy at court where the new queen—a princess from an enemy kingdom—is the primary suspect.
- A Slow Burn Romance: His only anchor is Lena, a sharp-witted royal historian with a habit of stealing his horse. In a court of secrets, trusting her might be the deadliest choice of all.
- A Story of Survival: As the sole survivor of the plague that ravaged two kingdoms, Cas is a man caught between a traumatic past and a dangerous present, fighting for a future he never expected to have.
