Witches Steeped in Gold

by Ciannon Smart, Nicola Lambo (Read by), Tamika Keaton-Donegal (Read by)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Debut author Ciannon Smart’s Jamaican folklore-inspired fantasy is about two witches from opposing castes who reluctantly band together to take down a mutual threat. With plenty of magical intrigue, lush world-building and rich lore, Witches Steeped in Gold will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they try to understand the dichotomy between good and evil.

This Jamaican-inspired fantasy debut about two enemy witches who must enter into a deadly alliance to take down a common enemy has the twisted cat-and-mouse of Killing Eve with the richly imagined fantasy world of Furyborn and Ember in the Ashes.

Divided by their order. United by their vengeance.

Iraya has spent her life in a cell, but every day brings her closer to freedom—and vengeance.

Jazmyne is the Queen’s daughter, but unlike her sister before her, she has no intention of dying to strengthen her mother’s power.

Sworn enemies, these two witches enter a precarious alliance to take down a mutual threat. But power is intoxicating, revenge is a bloody pursuit, and nothing is certain—except the lengths they will go to win this game.

"A thundering waterfall of magic, vengeance and intrigue." —Samantha Shannon, New York Times & Sunday Times bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree and The Bone Season.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781799953500
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	04/20/2021
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 6.70(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Ciannon Smart lives neither here nor there and writes stories about similar places. Convinced the Bad Guys have received an unfair edit, she’s dedicated her middle grade career to straightening this up. In the Night Things universe, her characters can be found defeating the Really Bad Guys. Usually with awesome weapons. Always with brilliant humor. Humility too. Now, these villains aren’t to be confused with the Really, Really Bad Guys she writes about in her young adult stories, Witches Steeped in Gold and Empress Crowned in Red. When not fighting all caliber of villain, Ciannon Smart sleeps, because defeating evil is an exhausting superpower. You can learn more about her at ciannonsmart.com.

Tamika Katon-Donegal is a talented actress and voiceover artist who received her bachelor's degree in theatre from the University of Southern California. She has appeared in films such as Dr. Strange and Rocketboy. Her experience in improv and stand-up comedy helps her tell stories with humor, passion, and honesty.

Editorial Reviews

"Aglow with detail, Witches Steeped in Gold is a thundering waterfall of magic, vengeance and intrigue. Smart spirits the reader straight to the heart of a vivid and perilous world, where power rests in the hands of women and fate turns on the bonds they break and forge." — Samantha Shannon, New York Times & Sunday Times bestselling author of THE BONE SEASON & THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE

“A bloody and deadly delight, Witches Steeped In Gold puts power into the hands of Black girls — the true, beating heart of magic!”

— Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles series

“This delightfully delicious tale of witches and magical intrigue will have you reading late into the night.” — Rena Barron, author of Kingdom of Souls

“A richly realized tale.” — Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

Aglow with detail, Witches Steeped in Gold is a thundering waterfall of magic, vengeance, and intrigue.”

New York Times bestselling author Samantha Shannon

"Aglow with detail, Witches Steeped in Gold is a thundering waterfall of magic, vengeance and intrigue. Smart spirits the reader straight to the heart of a vivid and perilous world, where power rests in the hands of women and fate turns on the bonds they break and forge."

Samantha Shannon

A bloody and deadly delight, Witches Steeped In Gold puts power into the hands of Black girls — the true, beating heart of magic!”

Dhonielle Clayton

This delightfully delicious tale of witches and magical intrigue will have you reading late into the night.

Rena Barron

2021-02-05
A Jamaican-inspired fantasy about a matriarchy maintained by magic and marred by manipulation.

Jazmyne Cariot is a 17-year-old witch of the Alumbrar order and next in line to rule as doyenne of her island of Aiyca, though she has yet to inherit her magical powers. Iraya Adair is an 18-year-old Obeah witch and the rightful heir to the Aiycan throne, newly free after 10 years of imprisonment. Historical tensions position these two witches as enemies, both possessing plans to remove the current doyenne. Despite their differing motivations and instant antagonism upon meeting, their end goal is the same; in order to achieve it, they decide to form an alliance. In a world where power is as much about birthright and natural talent as it is about clever strategy, deception, and betrayal, these two witches soon learn that there is much they have yet to learn about their society, their kin, and their own selves. Smart’s storytelling is comprehensive, often to the point of being verbose, and the pace sometimes suffers as a result. The intriguing plot and themes combined with multidimensional characters will, however, appeal to attentive readers who enjoy intricate prose and can appreciate the thoughtfully planned magic system upon which the story centers. The cast of characters is described as being various shades of brown, some with Afro-textured hair.

A richly realized tale for patient readers who enjoy complex language and worldbuilding. (Fantasy. 14-adult)

Kirkus Reviews