05/08/2023
In the Kingdom of Velle, a prophecy states that Princess Brianne Warnou, the youngest of three princesses, is the long-awaited reincarnation of the New Maiden, a magically gifted prophet and now the rightful heir to the throne. Though Brianne’s station is considered a boon to the kingdom, her coronation inspires fear in eldest princess Elodie, 17, who worries that her 13-year-old sister’s appointed corrupt Queen Regent spells disaster for Velle. Desperate, Elodie visits 17-year-old apothecary Sabine to buy a sleeping potion to use on Brianne, hoping a temporary sleep will afford Elodie enough time to usurp the throne. But when Sabine, whose sadness can be used as a poisonous magical draught, accidentally mixes up the potion with a vial of her tears, Brianne is sent into an unbreakable sleep that the regent uses to cement his power. As Elodie and Sabine search for a remedy, they’re roped into a centuries-long conspiracy with horrific implications. While slight worldbuilding occasionally causes confusion, this sprawling fantasy by Tooley (Sofi and the Bone Song ), told in alternating third-person narration that features excerpts from Brianne’s dreams and Velle’s historical New Maiden scriptures, features frothy romance and charismatic, take-charge heroines. Major characters read as white. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (July)
Praise for THE THIRD DAUGHTER:A Paste Magazine Best YA Book of the Year “The Third Daughter is subtly vicious and achingly tender, with a charming cast and delightful twists to boot. In the queendom of Velle, divinity and royalty clash, romance and intrigue simmer, and betrayals abound—but at the novel’s gentle heart is a story about the healing magic of being known. This is Adrienne Tooley at her most powerful.”—Allison Saft, New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic a riveting star-crossed romance as well as a story of two teenage girls embracing their emotions as a source of strength ."—Shelf Awareness The subtle magic and divided loyalties woven throughout build into a propulsive climax. The book asks what we'll do to achieve our goals and how we balance ambition with familial obligations and unexpected desires. Can't wait to see what the sequel brings! ”—Bookseller, An Unlikely Story (Plainville, MA) this engaging fantasy, where sparks fly between Elodie and Sabine and royals battle. The dangers of dictated religions and the manipulative power they can wield provide an interesting undercurrent to the narrative. A quick, magical, and interesting read. "—Booklist This gripping sapphic fantasy portrays the anti-hero princess taking on the patriarchy. Just when readers think they have this sorted out, a twist ending alludes to a second book in the planned duology. Immersive and intense; hand this royal fantasy to readers of Kendare Blake’s “Three Dark Crowns” and Victoria Aveyard’s “Red Queen” series. " —School Library Journal The Third Daughter is a glittering jewel of a novel certain to win over even the most hard-hearted readers."—Morgan Rhodes, New York Times bestselling author of the Falling Kingdoms series Courtney Gould, author of The Dead and the Dark Leslie Vedder, author of The Bone Spindle This sprawling fantasy features romance and charismatic, take-charge heroines ."—Publishers Weekly
Spectacularly emotional and majestically dark, The Third Daughter is a glittering jewel of a novel certain to win over even the most hard-hearted readers.
New York Times bestselling author of the Falling K Morgan Rhodes
Emotionally gripping and devastating—I held my breath the whole way. Adrienne Tooley deftly weaves prophecy, mystery and intrigue into a deeply intimate story. I ached with Elodie and Sabine, and I utterly fell in love with this exquisite sapphic fantasy. I’m already yearning for the sequel!
author of The Bone Spindle Leslie Vedder
Political intrigue and emotional intimacy balance on a knife's edge, teetering constantly, precariously between the two in this story of sisterhood, love, and duty. Elodie's journey held me captive in this stunning series starter and I cannot wait to see where she takes me next.
author of The Dead and the Dark Courtney Gould
The Third Daughter is subtly vicious and achingly tender, with a charming cast and delightful twists to boot. In the queendom of Velle, divinity and royalty clash, romance and intrigue simmer, and betrayals abound—but at the novel’s gentle heart is a story about the healing magic of being known. This is Adrienne Tooley at her most powerful.
New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Allison Saft
08/01/2023
Gr 8 Up— The Prophecy for the population of Velle predicts the return of the venerated New Maiden, born to the third daughter of a third daughter. The eldest of three daughters, Elodie has been training to assist her youngest sister, the ascending New Maiden Brianne, as the Queen's Regent. When their mother Queen Tera dies, Brianne is only 13 and not yet of age to take the throne. Elodie's training is dismissed by the misogynist Chaplain, who doubles as Brianne's father, seizing the chance to commandeer being Regent for political gain and his nefarious ideals. Desperate to keep the land from being run by the Chaplain, Elodie seeks out an apothecary, Sabine, for a potion to put her sister into a deep sleep until she is of age, with the goal of temporarily defaulting the crown back to Elodie as eldest daughter of the deceased queen. This gripping sapphic fantasy portrays the anti-hero princess taking on the patriarchy. Potential love interest Sabine has a deep sadness that results in magical tears for her potions. The absolute rage of Elodie and the softer, emotional needs of Sabine complement each other and help their alternate character traits emerge. As they work together to help Brianne unseat the Chaplain, some alliances with friends and family change, making trust hard to come by. The Chaplain's fictitious sinister religious sect is metaphorical and a cautionary tale. Just when readers think they have this sorted out, a twist ending alludes to a second book in the planned duology. VERDICT Immersive and intense; hand this royal fantasy to readers of Kendare Blake's "Three Dark Crowns" and Victoria Aveyard's "Red Queen" series.—Lisa Krok
Rebecca Lee portrays characters of various social classes as she narrates this Sapphic fantasy. When the queen dies, religious prophecy declares that 13-year-old Brianne is the new queen--although her bossy older sister, Elodie, believes Brianne is unfit to rule. In a Cockney-like accent, commoner Sabine wrestles with her "darkness," a depression-like affliction that speaks to her in hissing sinister tones and produces magical tears. When Elodie buys a sleeping potion for childlike Brianne, Sabine accidentally gives Elodie her tears instead. Softness emerges when Sabine and Elodie flirt in low voices, and raspiness reflects the old age of an archivist. This production captures the nuances and tension of the story. L.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
2023-05-09
Princess Elodie will not inherit her mother’s throne even though she’s the eldest. She has trained to be Queen’s Regent to her youngest sister, Brianne, who is the third daughter of a third daughter and supposedly the second coming of the church’s revered New Maiden. But now the Chaplain, who’s also the girls’ father, has usurped even that role from her. Skeptical of the church’s motives, Elodie seeks a potion to put 13-year-old Brianne to sleep until she comes of age at 17. That would mean Elodie could meanwhile rule in her stead. Apothecary Sabine sells her family’s potions, which are given more potency from a special ingredient: Sabine’s tears, which are the manifestation of her magic, a darkness that literally coats her veins in blackness. Sabine accidentally gives Elodie a bottle of her tears, and there’s no telling what the result might be or if Sabine can reverse its effect. The two 17-year-old girls are thrown together in a web of power-grabbing intrigue, diluted prophecies, familial expectations, slow-burn Sapphic romance, and building magic. This fantasy world comes with a layered faux religious backstory, but it includes a few layers too many. Characters fulfill their assigned roles but remain flat on the page, and more is explained than witnessed, so even betrayals feel deflated. The prospect of a sequel set up at the end is likewise lackluster. With one minor exception, most characters are described as pale.
Offers muted charms. (Fantasy. 14-18)
