This book takes place in the universe of A Curse So Dark and Lonely, one of the best YA fantasies of the last few years. It follows the royal couples through the tumultuous first years of the new, united kingdom. Shockingly enough, not everyone in the kingdom is happy having to coexist with magic and be ruled by a king who has used it to stay in power. The story is told in three voices: two villagers from a border town, Jax and Callyn, and Tycho, the King’s Courier. Their lives intersect in unpredictable ways, with strong discussions of the ideas of power and privilege and love intertwined with a breathtaking story. Plenty of depth and plenty of believable action, where nothing is tied up neatly with a bow and characters don’t always make the right choices. A fantastic read that (as usual) leaves you waiting on pins and needles for the next book.
-Andrea, Circulation
This title was featured in our “Summer Reads 2023” list.
