From the Publisher
Breathtaking adventure, high-stakes fantasy, and romance to last the ages. The perfect start to a new series, and a treasure you don’t want to miss.” — Gena Showalter, New York Times bestselling author of the White Rabbit Chronicles
“The hunt for the next spelling fantasy read is over. The gorgeous blend of magic, high-stakes, and swoon-worthy romance had me flying through the pages, mesmerized.” — Alexandra Bracken, New York Times bestselling author of The Darkest Minds trilogy
“Beautifully written and deeply romantic.” — Suzanne Young, New York Times bestselling author of The Program series
Higgins weaves a powerful tale that includes magic, mystery, suspense, sacrifice, and love. Highly recommended. — School Library Journal
“A standout in the realm of fairy-tale retellings.” — ALA Booklist
“As a romance…the book hits the sweet spots-the talented, lone wolf hero, the vulnerable but determined heroine, and the many, many obstacles their love must overcome” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Alexandra Bracken
The hunt for the next spelling fantasy read is over. The gorgeous blend of magic, high-stakes, and swoon-worthy romance had me flying through the pages, mesmerized.
Gena Showalter
Breathtaking adventure, high-stakes fantasy, and romance to last the ages. The perfect start to a new series, and a treasure you don’t want to miss.
ALA Booklist
A standout in the realm of fairy-tale retellings.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
As a romance…the book hits the sweet spots-the talented, lone wolf hero, the vulnerable but determined heroine, and the many, many obstacles their love must overcome
Suzanne Young
Beautifully written and deeply romantic.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
As a romance…the book hits the sweet spots-the talented, lone wolf hero, the vulnerable but determined heroine, and the many, many obstacles their love must overcome
Kirkus Reviews
2015-12-08
When a vicious beast threatens the land, the royal family must make sacrifices to defeat the menace and save the people. Something is rotten in the kingdom of Lachlanach. Tension simmers between commoners and the Lashed, who are barred by law from performing their magic. Birth rates around the kingdom are down. And, worst of all, a savage beast is making the rounds every night, killing all the men it encounters. In desperation, the king invites hunters from all neighboring lands to enter a contest—whoever slays the beast wins the hand of his eldest daughter, Princess Aerity, in marriage. But this hopeful solution grows complicated when Aerity grows fond of a specific hunter. The beast, too, is a surprise, as it turns out to be a different sort of creature than first assumed. Higgins has written a familiar yet compelling damsels-in-distress novel. A group of talented female hunters who are able to attract the respect of the men and the admiration of the women adds a welcome twist. The princess and her female relatives manage to exhibit a flare for coming through in emergencies, though they are perfectly willing to let the men do the heavy lifting when danger gets too close. As this book is the first in a duology, it fittingly ends with a cliffhanger. An enjoyable-enough fantasy with a healthy sprinkling of romance. (Fantasy. 13-17)
