New Releases by Caitlin Sweet

From the author of The Door in the Mountain, this tale of ancient gods and mythic monsters is “a book of both horror and beauty” (Ilana C. Myer, author of Last Song Before Night). The Princess Ariadne is scheming to bring her hated half brother Asterion to ultimate ruin. Asterion himself, part human, part bull, is grappling with madness and pain in the labyrinth that lies within a sacred mountain. And Chara, his childhood friend, is trying desperately to find him. In a different prison, Icarus, the bird-boy who cannot fly, plans his escape with his father, Daedalus—and plots revenge upon the princess he once loved. All of their paths are about to come together at last, drawn by fire, hatred, love, and hope—and all of them will be changed. From an author who has been nominated for Sunburst, Locus, and Aurora Awards and called “a formidable new talent”, this is a powerful fantasy set in the world of ancient Crete (SF Site).

This tale of love, grief, and a young woman’s quest for vengeance offers “a re-envisioning of the fantasy genre rich in imagination” (Quill & Quire). An Aurora Award Finalist and Locus Award Nominee for Best First Novel At eighteen, Jaele’s life is shattered when her family is murdered by a band of Raiders, members of a long-accursed race. Overwhelmed by rage and grief, alone for the first time in her life, and fueled by childhood myths of a warrior queen, Jaele sets out on an epic quest for vengeance. Her journey takes Jaele through a kaleidoscope of cultures, some compassionate, some fierce, all remarkably fantastic yet potently real. As she makes her difficult way, Jaele sheds her innocence, but none of her experiences can prepare her for her ultimate confrontation with her enemy. “While still working within the genre parameters of standard fantasy, Sweet has created something unique; a thoughtful, meditative, distinctly feminine fantasy novel, a rich fever-dream of a book.” —Quill & Quire

An epic novel of legends—and lies—from the author of A Telling of Stars, an Aurora Award nominee. It is a time of bounty in the Queensrealm, thanks to Queen Galha, whose wisdom and power are legendary. Her scribes record the glorious events of her reign, but beneath these words lie others—shameful, heartbreaking, and true—that threaten to destroy the realm. A prequel to A Telling of Stars, this is a saga of epic sweep, deeply realized characters, and page-turning suspense. The Silences of Home explores the gulf between official and unwritten accounts of history, and the ways in which individuals, knowingly or not, shape the events of their time—events that pass into myth . . . or silence. “Fans of Guy Gavriel Kay’s books, and readers who enjoy intelligent novels with strong characterization, polished imagery and thematic depth, will certainly find her writing a treat.” —SF Site

Lost in time, shrouded in dark myths of blood and magic, The Door in the Mountain leads to ancient Crete.

A dark, gripping fantasy that “has a lot to say about how relationships can become traps, and how monsters can be attractive and compelling” (NPR). Nola is born into poverty in Sarsenay City. When her mother realizes that Nola has the gift of Othersight and can foretell the future, she sells her to a brothel seer, who teaches the girl to harness her gift. As she grows up, she embraces her new life, and even finds a small circle of friends. But all too soon, her world is again turned upside down when one of them is murdered. When a handsome, young Otherseer from the castle promises to teach her, she eagerly embraces the prospects of luxury beyond what she can imagine—and safety from a killer who stalks girls by night. Little does she know that he will soon draw her into a web of murder, treachery, and obsessive desire that will threaten the people and land she holds dear, and that she will learn the harshest of lessons: that being able to predict the future has nothing to do with being able to prevent it. “Harrowing, but you won’t be able to put it down . . . the spell Caitlin Sweet casts will stay with you long after you’ve finished the book.” —NPR