New Releases by Ava Reid

Return to the immersive, lush, and dreamlike world of the instantly bestselling dark academia fantasy A Study in Drowning as the aftermath of their first discovery pulls Effy and Preston on a final adventure and brings their haunting love story to its end in this stunning sequel and final book in the duology. This collector''s edition features stunning foil case design, antique-style endpapers, filigree cover, and gorgeous designed edges. All stories come to an end. Effy learned that when she defeated the Fairy King. Even though she may never know exactly what happened at Hiraeth, she is free of her nightmares and is able to pen a thesis with Preston on the beloved national fairytale Angharad. She has finally earned a spot at the literature college, making her the first woman in history to enroll. But some dreams are dangerous, especially when they come true. The entire university--and soon the entire nation--is waiting for her to fail. With the Fairy King defeated and Myrddin''s legacy exposed, Effy can no longer escape into fantasy. Who is she without her stories? With Effy under threat, Preston is surprised to discover a rage simmering inside him, ringing in his ears like bells. He begins to dream of a palace under the sea, a world where he is king--visions that start to follow him even in waking. As the war between Llyr and Argant explodes, Effy and Preston find themselves caught in the crossfire: Effy losing her dreams and Preston losing himself in his. Are dreams ever truly just dreams?

Return to the immersive, lush, and dreamlike world of the instantly bestselling dark academia fantasy A Study in Drowning as the aftermath of their first discovery pulls Effy and Preston on a final adventure and brings their haunting love story to its end in this stunning sequel and final book in the duology. All stories come to an end. Effy learned that when she defeated the Fairy King. Even though she may never know exactly what happened at Hiraeth, she is free of her nightmares and is able to pen a thesis with Preston on the beloved national fairy tale Angharad. She has finally earned a spot at the literature college, making her the first woman in history to enroll. But some dreams are dangerous, especially when they come true. The entire university—and soon the entire nation—is waiting for her to fail. With the Fairy King defeated and Myrddin’s legacy exposed, Effy can no longer escape into fantasy. Who is she without her stories? With Effy under threat, Preston is surprised to discover a rage simmering inside him, ringing in his ears like bells. He begins to dream of a palace under the sea, a world where he is king—visions that start to follow him even in waking. As the war between Llyr and Argant explodes, Effy and Preston find themselves caught in the crossfire: Effy losing her dreams and Preston losing himself in his. Are dreams ever truly just dreams?

The Last of Us meets The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in this stand-alone dystopian romance about survival, sacrifice, and love that risks everything. By encouraging massive accumulations of debt from its underclass, a single corporation, Caerus, controls all aspects of society. Inesa lives with her brother in a half-sunken town where they scrape by running a taxidermy shop. Unbeknownst to Inesa, their cruel and indolent mother has accrued an enormous debt—enough to qualify one of her children for Caerus’s livestreamed assassination spectacle: the Lamb’s Gauntlet. Melinoë is a Caerus assassin, trained to track and kill the sacrificial Lambs. The product of neural reconditioning and physiological alteration, she is a living weapon, known for her cold brutality and deadly beauty. She has never failed to assassinate one of her marks. When Inesa learns that her mother has offered her as a sacrifice, at first she despairs—the Gauntlet is always a bloodbath for the impoverished debtors. But she’s had years of practice surviving in the apocalyptic wastes, and with the help of her hunter brother she might stand a chance of staying alive. For Melinoë, this is a game she can’t afford to lose. Despite her reputation for mercilessness, she is haunted by painful flashbacks. After her last Gauntlet, where she broke down on livestream, she desperately needs redemption. As Mel pursues Inesa across the wasteland, both girls begin to question everything: Inesa wonders if there’s more to life than survival, while Mel wonders if she’s capable of more than killing. And both wonder if, against all odds, they might be falling in love.

A holographic foil case, glitch-effect endpapers, custom designed edges, stunning foiled case, and exclusive bonus content make this limited deluxe edition of Fable for the End of the World a must-have for fans of dystopian romance like The Last of Us and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, from Ava Reid, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning. By encouraging massive accumulations of debt from its underclass, a single corporation, Caerus, controls all aspects of society. Inesa lives with her brother in a half-sunken town where they scrape by running a taxidermy shop. Unbeknownst to Inesa, their cruel and indolent mother has accrued an enormous debt--enough to qualify one of her children for Caerus''s livestreamed assassination spectacle: the Lamb''s Gauntlet. Melinoë is a Caerus assassin, trained to track and kill the sacrificial Lambs. The product of neural reconditioning and physiological alteration, she is a living weapon, known for her cold brutality and deadly beauty. She has never failed to assassinate one of her marks. When Inesa learns that her mother has offered her as a sacrifice, at first she despairs--the Gauntlet is always a bloodbath for the impoverished debtors. But she''s had years of practice surviving in the apocalyptic wastes, and with the help of her hunter brother she might stand a chance of staying alive. For Melinoë, this is a game she can''t afford to lose. Despite her reputation for mercilessness, she is haunted by painful flashbacks. After her last Gauntlet, where she broke down on livestream, she desperately needs redemption. As Mel pursues Inesa across the wasteland, both girls begin to question everything: Inesa wonders if there''s more to life than survival, while Mel wonders if she''s capable of more than killing. And both wonder if, against all odds, they might be falling in love.

"Entering a contest to redesign late author Emrys Myrddin''s estate, aspiring architect Effy Sayre arrives at Hiraeth Manor where she meets a stodgy young literature scholar who draws her into a battle against dark forces--both mortal and magical--that threatens to consume them both"--BTCat.

Elle connaît cette histoire : son regard rend les hommes fous. Elle sait qu''elle va être mariée à une brute venue d''Écosse qui ne rend jamais les armes. Elle sait que la cour hostile qu''il lui fera sera emprunte de soupçons. Elle sait qu''elle devra utiliser toute sa ruse et sa magie pour survivre. Elle sait que ce Macbeth cache lui aussi des secrets. Ce qu''elle ne sait pas, c''est qu''une prophétie pèse sur les épaules de son mari comme une armure encombrante. Ce qu''elle ne sait pas, c''est que sa magie à elle, est plus grande et plus dangereuse encore, et qu''elle menacera l''ordre du monde. Elle ne le sait pas encore. Mais cela viendra. Traduit de l''anglais par Pierre-Paul Durastanti " Lady Macbeth ne réécrit pas l''histoire de Shakespeare, mais l''ouvre en deux pour en révéler tous les secrets. Je n''ai pas pu détourner le regard.'' Alix E. Harrow, autrice des Dix mille portes de January " Lady Macbeth est un roman sculpté au scalpel, révélant à la perfection les parts les plus sombres des relations humaines, ainsi que l''émotion cathartique la plus brillante. Une réécriture triomphale.'' Shelley Parker-Chan, autrice de Celle qui devint le soleil "Écrit avec finesse et débordant d''imagination, Lady Macbeth est une hallucination fiévreuse aux dents acérées.'' Hannah Whitten, autrice de The Foxglove King

Zupełnie nowa opowieść o jednym z najsłynniejszych czarnych charakterów Szekspira, Lady Makbet. Dzięki Avie Reid – autorce bestsellerów z listy „New York Timesa” – Lady Makbet odzyskuje swój głos i swoją przeszłość. Ma teraz moc, by zmienić historię napisaną dla niej przez mężczyznę. Ona już nie raz słyszała, że jej oczy wzbudzają w mężczyznach szaleństwo. Ona wie, że zostanie zmuszona wyjść za szkockiego brutala, który nie wyzbywa się barbarzyńskich przyzwyczajeń, kiedy wchodzi do ślubnego łoża. Ona wie, że przeżycie na jego wrogim, podejrzliwym dworze będzie wymagało strategii, silnej woli oraz całej skrywanej przez nią dotąd mocy. Ale nie zdaje sobie sprawy, że jej mąż ma własne spowite magią sekrety. Nie wie, że pewna przepowiednia uciska go niczym za ciasna zbroja. Nie wie też, że jej magia ma większą moc i jest bardziej niebezpieczna, i że zagrozi porządkowi tego świata. Ona jeszcze tego nie wie, ale już wkrótce odkryje prawdę… 16+

Effy Sayre sempre acreditou em contos de fadas, não que tivesse muita escolha: desde pequena que é assombrada por visões do Rei das Fadas. A sua única escapatória foi mergulhar na célebre história de Angharad, escrita por Emrys Myrddin, sobre uma jovem humana que se apaixona pelo Rei das Fadas e o destrói — uma história que lhe permite enfrentar o seu primeiro ano no curso de arquitetura na prestigiada universidade de Llyr. Quando a família de Myrddin anuncia um concurso para remodelar a mansão do autor, Effy não tem dúvida de que nasceu para isso. Mas a Mansão Hiraeth não é para amadores. Antiquada e em ruínas, está a dois passos de desmoronar no tempestuoso mar que a rodeia. Assim que Effy chega ao local, descobre que alguém já lá vive: Preston Héloury, um jovem e rabugento académico de literatura, que está decidido a provar que o autor favorito dela não passa de uma fraude. Os dois estudantes rivais começam a investigar o legado do solitário escritor, encontrando pistas deixadas em cartas, livros e diários, e descobrem que não é só a estrutura da casa que tem sérios problemas... Forças sombrias, tanto humanas quanto mágicas, conspiram contra eles — e uma verdade desenterrada pode significar o fim do caminho para ambos.

''Channelling the dark magic at the heart of one of Shakespeare''s most intriguing anti-heroes, this reimagining of Lady Macbeth is full of witchcraft, deadly power games, dark schemes, supernatural elements, and a touch of romance.'' Cosmopolitan ''A gargantuan hit...Dark and brooding, skillful storytelling and intricate character development breathe new life into literature''s most enigmatic character. Dripping in atmosphere...One to order immediately.'' Glamour ''Ava Reid has done it again in this gothic, atmospheric reclamation of the story of Lady Macbeth.'' Vaishnavi Patel, New York Times bestselling author of Kaikeyi ''A triumph of a retelling.'' Shelley Parker-Chan, bestselling author of She Who Became the Sun ------------------------------------ Fair is foul and foul is fair. From the Sunday Times bestselling author of A STUDY IN DROWNING comes a reimagining of Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare’s most famous villainess, giving her a voice, a past, and a power that transforms the story men have written for her. The Lady knows the stories: that her eyes induce madness in men. The Lady knows she will be wed to the Scottish brute, who does not leave his warrior ways behind when he comes to the marriage bed. The Lady knows his hostile, suspicious court will be a game of survival, requiring all of her wiles and hidden witchcraft to survive. But the Lady does not know her husband has occult secrets of his own. She does not know that prophecy girds him like armour. She does not know that her magic is greater, and more dangerous, and that it will threaten the order of the world. She does not know this yet. But she will.

Seule la mer est notre ennemie. Effy Sayre a toujours cru aux légendes du Petit Peuple. Hantée depuis son enfance par des visions du roi des fées, elle ne trouve de réconfort que dans les pages d''Angharad, l''épopée d''Emrys Myrddin, son auteur préféré. Le livre en lambeaux est tout ce qui lui permet de survivre à ses études d''architecture. Aussi, lorsqu''elle remporte un concours pour restaurer le manoir du défunt Myrddin, elle est persuadée que c''est un signe du destin. Domaine décrépit sur le point de s''effondrer dans une mer affamée, le Manoir d''Hiraeth est un lieu perché à la frontière entre les mondes, peuplé d''êtres mystérieux. Parmi eux se trouve Preston Héloury, jeune étudiant en littérature, bien déterminé à prouver que Myrddin est un imposteur. Enquêtant sur l''héritage de l''écrivain, les deux étudiants découvriront peu à peu que des forces obscures conspirent contre eux, et que la vérité pourrait les mener à la ruine. Traduit de l''anglais par Michelle Charrier

Nesta fantasia de estética dark academia, Effy Sayre tem como missão restaurar uma mansão prestes a desmoronar. Mas, ao chegar lá, encontra um rival acadêmico e descobre segredos muito mais perigosos do que uma construção em ruínas. Atmosférico, viciante e delicado, Lições sobre afogamentos é a estreia de Ava Reid na literatura jovem adulta e best-seller instantâneo do New York Times. Effy Sayre sempre acreditou em contos de fadas, não que tivesse muita escolha: desde pequena, foi assombrada por visões do Rei das Fadas. Sua única escapatória foi mergulhar na célebre história de Angharad, escrita por Emrys Myrddin, sobre uma garota humana que se apaixona pelo Rei das Fadas, e então causa sua destruição. O seu exemplar antigo e surrado do livro é o que mantém Effy seguindo em frente durante seu primeiro ano do curso de arquitetura na prestigiosa universidade Llyrian. Então, quando a família de Myrddin anuncia um concurso para escolher alguém para remodelar a mansão do autor, ela não tem a menor dúvida de que nasceu para isso. Mas a Mansão Hiraeth não é para amadores: antiquada e em ruínas, está a dois passos de desmoronar no tempestuoso mar que a rodeia. Mas, assim que Effy chega ao local, descobre que alguém já vive lá: Preston Héloury, um jovem e rabugento acadêmico de literatura, que está decidido a provar que o autor favorito dela não passa de uma fraude. Os dois estudantes rivais começam a investigar o legado do recluso autor, encontrando pistas deixadas em cartas, livros e diários, e descobrem que não é só a estrutura da casa que tem sérios problemas. Forças sombrias, tanto humanas quanto mágicas, estão conspirando contra eles — e a verdade desenterrada pode significar o fim do caminho para ambos. , " Lições sobre afogamentos é tudo: um conto de fadas sombrio, um romance sensível, um mistério histórico tenso, e uma ode às pessoas que tiveram histórias que foram roubadas. Eu amei até não poder mais." - Alix E. Harrow, autora best-seller do New York Times com The Once and Future Witches "Esse é um daqueles livros que nos faz lembrar do motivo de lermos. Lições sobre afogamentos leva o gênero dark academia para outros patamares mágicos." - Sasha Peyton Smith, autora best-seller do New York Times com The Witch Haven

„Incandescent, sensibil și sălbatic.“ Rebecca Ross, autoarea romanului Rivali divini Effy Sayre a crezut întotdeauna în basme. Nu a avut de ales. Din copilărie, a fost bântuită de viziuni cu Regele Zânelor. Și-a găsit mângâierea doar în paginile romanului Angharad – îndrăgita carte a lui Emrys Myrddin despre o fată muritoare care se îndrăgostește de Regele Zânelor și apoi îl distruge. Acest volum jerpelit este singurul lucru care o ține pe Effy pe linia de plutire în cursul primului ei an la prestigioasa Facultate de Arhitectură llyriană. Așa că, atunci când familia lui Myrddin anunță un concurs pentru a reconstrui conacul regretatului autor, Effy simte că acesta este destinul ei. Dar Conacul Hiraeth este o sarcină imposibilă: o casă plină de mucegai, părăginită, gata să se prăbușească în marea flămândă. În plus, Effy constată că altcineva și-a stabilit deja domiciliul temporar acolo. Preston Héloury, un tânăr student la Literatură, pare hotărât să demonstreze că autorul favorit al lui Effy este un impostor. În timp ce analizează moștenirea lui Myrddin, adunând indicii din scrisorile, cărțile și jurnalele sale, cei doi studenți rivali descoperă că fundația casei nu este singurul lucru în care nu pot avea încredere. Forțe întunecate, lumești sau magice, conspiră împotriva lor, iar adevărul i-ar putea duce pe amândoi la pieire. „O atmosferă pătrunzătoare și minunat de intensă.“ Rory Power, autoarea romanului Sălbaticele, bestseller New York Times „Povești spuse pe limba apei are tot ce-i trebuie: un basm întunecat, o idilă delicată, un mister istoric obsedant și un omagiu mustind de furie înăbușită adus celor cărora le-au fost furate istoriile. Mi-a plăcut la nebunie.“ Alix E. Harrow, autoarea romanului Cele zece mii de uși ale lui January „O scrisoare de dragoste adresată poveștilor și tuturor celor reduși la tăcere sau uitați când poveștile au fost spuse.“ Allison Saft, autoarea romanului O magie de neîmblânzit „Romantică, întunecată și tulburător de misterioasă. Mă voi gândi la această carte multă vreme.“ Erin A. Craig, autoarea romanului Casa de sare și amărăciuni Ava Reid este autoarea romanelor fantasy The Wolf and the Woodsman și Juniper &Thorn, foarte apreciate de critică. După ce a absolvit Colegiul Barnard obținând o diplomă în științe politice, s-a mutat la Palo Alto, California, unde continuă să frecventeze bibliotecile universitare. Povești spuse pe limba apei este primul său roman care se adresează tinerilor. „Neîndurător ca marea în creștere și ademenitor ca târgul încheiat cu o zână.“ Melissa Albert, autoarea romanului Crângul de alun „Bogată în mituri, superstiții și ploi care cad din abundență peste vechi case în ruină. O lectură plină de satisfacții.“ Kendare Blake, autoarea romanului Trei coroane întunecate

Do you feel like you shine with your own light? Of course you do! You are unique and unrepeatable, and this book is your compass to discover it. Embark on a world full of inspiring stories of girls who, like you, once doubted themselves, but found the strength to shine. You will meet scientists, artists, athletes and many more who challenged stereotypes and fought for their dreams. Do you face obstacles and challenges? You are not alone! In this book you will find tools to: Believe in yourself: Discover the power you carry within and learn to silence negative voices. Face your fears: Develop the courage to overcome any obstacle. Be authentic: Learn to love and accept yourself for who you are, with all your strengths and weaknesses. Raise your voice: Discover the importance of expressing yourself freely and defending what you believe in. Build healthy relationships: Surround yourself with people who support and inspire you to be the best version of yourself. Are you ready to become the best version of yourself? Start your journey now with Believe in Yourself! This book is perfect for: Girls between 8 and 12 years old Individual or read aloud Birthday, Christmas or any special occasion gift Mothers, fathers and educators who want to inspire girls Don''t wait any longer! Awaken the power within you and become the superheroine of your own story!

El dark academy del que todo el mundo habla: una novela que atrapa desde la primera página, con una prosa lírica y una trama tan oscura como poderosa... Effy Sayre siempre ha creído en los cuentos de hadas. No le ha quedado más remedio, ya que, desde niña, la persiguen visiones del rey de las hadas. Ha hallado consuelo en las páginas de Angharad, la apreciada novela de Emrys Myrddin, que trata sobre una chica mortal que se enamora del rey de las hadas y luego lo destruye. El ejemplar desgastado de Effy es lo único que la mantiene a flote durante su primer trimestre en la prestigiosa Facultad de Arquitectura de Llyr. Cuando la familia de Myrddin anuncia un concurso para rediseñar la casa del fallecido autor, Effy está segura de que el destino llama a su puerta. Pero es una tarea imposible: la mansión Hiraeth es una casa mohosa y decrépita a punto de derrumbarse en el hambriento mar. Y cuando Effy llega, ya hay otra persona alojándose temporalmente allí: Preston Héloury, un aburrido estudiante de literatura que está decidido a demostrar que el escritor favorito de Effy es un fraude. Mientras los dos rivales investigan el legado del solitario autor y reúnen todas las pistas a través de sus cartas, libros y diarios, descubrirán que hay más cosas de las que no pueden fiarse, aparte de los cimientos de la casa. Existen fuerzas oscuras, tanto mortales como mágicas, que conspiran contra ellos... y puede que la verdad los arruine a los dos. «El arte de ahogarse lo es todo: un cuento de hadas oscuro, un romance tierno, un misterio histórico inquietante y un tributo sutil pero furioso dedicado a las personas a quienes les arrebataron su historia. Me ha encantado». —ALIX E. HARROW, autora de Las brujas del ayer y del mañana, best seller del New York Times

Get ready to be inspired by amazing women who changed the world! This book is filled with true stories of brilliant women who dared to dream and changed science forever. More than just a collection of tales, it''s a celebration of courage, curiousity, and the power of a determined mind.

An instant Indie and #1 New York Times bestseller! “Achingly atmospheric and beautifully sharp, A Study in Drowning will draw you in from the first page.” —Rory Power, New York Times bestselling author of Wilder Girls Bestselling author Ava Reid makes her YA debut in this dark academic fantasy perfect for fans of Melissa Albert and Elana K. Arnold. Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales. Haunted by visions of the Fairy King since childhood, she’s had no choice. Her tattered copy of Angharad—Emrys Myrddin’s epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, then destroys him—is the only thing keeping her afloat. So when Myrddin’s family announces a contest to redesign the late author’s estate, Effy feels certain it’s her destiny. But musty, decrepit Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task, and its residents are far from welcoming. Including Preston Héloury, a stodgy young literature scholar determined to expose Myrddin as a fraud. As the two rivals piece together clues about Myrddin’s legacy, dark forces, both mortal and magical, conspire against them—and the truth may bring them both to ruin. Part historical fantasy, part rivals-to-lovers romance, part Gothic mystery, and all haunting, dreamlike atmosphere, Ava Reid''s powerful YA debut will lure in readers who loved The Atlas Six, House of Salt and Sorrows, or Girl, Serpent, Thorn.

A gruesome curse. A city in upheaval. A monster with unquenchable appetites... Marlinchen and her two sisters live with their wizard father in a city shifting from magic to industry. As Oblya''s last true witches, she and her sisters are little more than a tourist trap as they treat their clients with archaic remedies and beguile them with nostalgic charm. Marlinchen spends her days divining secrets in exchange for rubles and trying to placate her tyrannical, xenophobic father, who keeps his daughters sequestered from the outside world. But at night, Marlinchen and her sisters sneak out to enjoy the city''s amenities and revel in its thrills, particularly the recently established ballet theater, where Marlinchen meets a dancer who quickly captures her heart. As Marlinchen''s late-night trysts grow more fervent and frequent, so does the threat of her father''s rage and magic. And while Oblya flourishes with culture and bustles with enterprise, a monster lurks in its midst, borne of intolerance and resentment and suffused with old-world power. Caught between history and progress and blood and desire, Marlinchen must draw upon her own magic to keep her city safe and find her place within it.

Una fantasía oscura, evocadora e inolvidable impregnada de historia húngara y de mitología judía.En su aldea pagana oculta en el bosque, Évike es la única mujer sin poder, marginada debido a su ascendencia corrupta. Por ello, cuando los soldados de la Sagrada Orden de Leñadores reclaman a una chica para el sangriento sacrificio del rey, el resto de los aldeanos la traicionan y entregan.En el viaje a la capital, tras un ataque en el que los monstruos asesinan a todos excepto a Évike y al frío capitán tuerto, ella descubre que no es un Leñador ordinario: es Gáspár Bárány, el príncipe caído en desgracia cuyo cruel y fervoroso hermano planea hacerse con el trono e instigar un reinado de persecución religiosa y limpieza étnica. Sin nadie más en quien confiar, Évike y el capitán firman un frágil pacto para detenerlo.A medida que su misión los lleva de la amarga tundra norteña al neblumo de la capital, su desprecio mutuo se transforma lentamente en afecto. Pero la confianza puede traicionarse con facilidad, y mientras Évike recupera a su padre y descubre la magia que se oculta en su interior, Gáspár y ella deberán decidir a quién ser leales.«Bellamente escrita y tristemente real, La loba y el leñador es una fábula sangrienta sobre dos personas atrapadas en las fauces de la historia. Me dejó sin respiración, literalmente.»Alix E. Harrow, ganadora del premio Hugo por Las mil puertas de enero «Enraizado en la historia y la leyenda, La loba y el leñador es un debut impresionante… Se enredará como un bosque oscuro alrededor de tu corazón.»Samantha Shannon, autora best seller del Sunday Times de El priorato del naranjo«Un emocionante giro mágico sobre la historia de la religión y la política que invita a pensar y que no podía dejar de leer.»S. A. Chakraborty, autora de The City of Brass«Con un estilo seguro y cautivador, desarrolla un mundo que está espléndidamente imaginado y profusamente matizado. Una delicia sin fin.»Katherine Addison, autora de The Goblin Emperor«Combinando religión, magia, y un lenguaje evocador, Ava Reid ha creado un atrevido mundo fantástico lleno de imaginación y de feroces hazañas.»Luanne G. Smith, autora best seller de The Vine Witch«Precioso y devastador… Un fascinante debut que te mantendrá despierto toda la noche, esperando con ansias el emocionante final.»Victoria Lee, autora de Una lección de tinta y venganza

From highly acclaimed, bestselling author Ava Reid comes a gothic horror retelling of The Juniper Tree, set in another time and place within the world of The Wolf and the Woodsman, where a young witch seeks to discover her identity and escape the domination of her abusive wizard father, perfect for fans of Shirley Jackson and Catherynne M. Valente. A gruesome curse. A city in upheaval. A monster with unquenchable appetites. Marlinchen and her two sisters live with their wizard father in a city shifting from magic to industry. As Oblya’s last true witches, she and her sisters are little more than a tourist trap as they treat their clients with archaic remedies and beguile them with nostalgic charm. Marlinchen spends her days divining secrets in exchange for rubles and trying to placate her tyrannical, xenophobic father, who keeps his daughters sequestered from the outside world. But at night, Marlinchen and her sisters sneak out to enjoy the city’s amenities and revel in its thrills, particularly the recently established ballet theater, where Marlinchen meets a dancer who quickly captures her heart. As Marlinchen’s late-night trysts grow more fervent and frequent, so does the threat of her father’s rage and magic. And while Oblya flourishes with culture and bustles with enterprise, a monster lurks in its midst, borne of intolerance and resentment and suffused with old-world power. Caught between history and progress and blood and desire, Marlinchen must draw upon her own magic to keep her city safe and find her place within it.

The last magic practitioners in their small town, and living in house filled with monsters, Marlinchen and her family are both loved and reviled by the townsfolk they work to cure. Their father, cursed to never be satisfied, keeps a tight grip on his daughters; their freedoms, virtues and powers under his control. But when, chafing at his restrictions, the sisters sneak out to attend the theatre and they hear of two men found dead, rumoured to have been brutally ripped apart, Marlinchen is soon drawn into a situation she never could have dreamed, and that will reveal secrets she''ll wish she never discovered. After all, can you ever be truly free from the monster that lives inside yourself?

In the vein of Naomi Novik’s New York Times bestseller Spinning Silver and Katherine Arden’s national bestseller The Bear and the Nightingale, this unforgettable debut— inspired by Hungarian history and Jewish mythology—follows a young pagan woman with hidden powers and a one-eyed captain of the Woodsmen as they form an unlikely alliance to thwart a tyrant. In her forest-veiled pagan village, Évike is the only woman without power, making her an outcast clearly abandoned by the gods. The villagers blame her corrupted bloodline—her father was a Yehuli man, one of the much-loathed servants of the fanatical king. When soldiers arrive from the Holy Order of Woodsmen to claim a pagan girl for the king’s blood sacrifice, Évike is betrayed by her fellow villagers and surrendered. But when monsters attack the Woodsmen and their captive en route, slaughtering everyone but Évike and the cold, one-eyed captain, 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. Gáspár fears that his cruelly zealous brother plans to seize the throne and instigate a violent reign that would damn the pagans and the Yehuli alike. As the son of a reviled foreign queen, Gáspár understands what it’s like to be an outcast, and he and Évike make a tenuous pact to stop his brother. As their mission takes them from the bitter northern tundra to the smog-choked capital, their mutual loathing slowly turns to affection, bound by a shared history of alienation and oppression. However, trust can easily turn to betrayal, and as Évike reconnects with her estranged father and discovers her own hidden magic, she and Gáspár need to decide whose side they’re on, and what they’re willing to give up for a nation that never cared for them at all.