The elders chose Elli to be queen, but they chose wrong in this beautifully crafted novel that “fans of Rae Carson’s books and Victoria Areyard’s Red Queen will find much to love in” ( VOYA ). Sixteen-year-old Elli was a small child when the Elders of Kupari chose her to succeed the Valtia, the queen who wields infinitely powerful ice and fire magic. Since then, Elli has lived in the temple, surrounded by luxury and tutored by priests, as she prepares for the day when the Valtia perishes and the magic finds a new home in her. Elli is destined to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule. But when the queen dies defending the kingdom from invading warriors, the magic doesn’t enter Elli. It’s nowhere to be found. Disgraced, Elli flees to the outlands, the home of banished criminals—some who would love to see the temple burn with all its priests inside. As she finds her footing in this new world, Elli uncovers devastating new information about the Kupari magic, those who wield it, and the prophecy that foretold her destiny. Torn between the love she has for her people and her growing loyalty to the banished, Elli struggles to understand the true role she was meant to play. But as war looms, she must align with the right side—before the kingdom and its magic are completely destroyed. "Fine's portrayals of fire and ice magic are scorching and chilling...Full of passion, fire, and ice. " ― Kirkus Reviews "Readers will find conspiracy, magic, war, romance, prophecy, corruption, and the truth that there are multiple sides to every story. Stay tuned for a sequel. VERDICT Recommend to readers who enjoy magical fantasy with a little romance mixed in—especially to fans of Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen ." ― School Library Journal “Readers who love unique world building and magic will embrace this story easily, but the qualities of bravery, love, and devotion will extend its appeal even further.” ― Booklist "Elli's quest is absorbing, the story well-paced, and the world and its magic intriguing." ― Publishers Weekly “Fans of Rae Carson’s books and Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen will find much to love in Fine’s engrossing novel.” ― VOYA “Sarah Fine presents a fresh and fascinating magical world with its own rules and rituals, riveting action and relationships (and a sequel-worthy ending),featuring a protagonist who grows in wisdom, compassion, and self-awareness.” ― School Library Journal, "Magic, Dastardly Villains, and Less-Than-Perfect Heroes" Sarah Fine is the author of Of Metal and Wishes , Of Dreams and Rust , The Impostor Queen , The Cursed Queen , The True Queen , and The Guards of the Shadowlands series. She was born on the West Coast, raised in the Midwest, and is now firmly entrenched on the East Coast. When she’s not writing, she’s working as a child psychologist. Visit her at SarahFineBooks.com. The Impostor Queen CHAPTER 1 The heart lies before me, still, colorful, and more mysterious than I want it to be. I lean over the diagram etched onto the scroll, trying to memorize it all at once. The main vessel that carries the blood to the rest of the body is marked in red ink, and I slide my fingertip across the label. Valtimo. I like the word. It’s vital and meaty. “Elder Kauko, are the vessels in a loop, somehow? How does the blood know when it is time to return to the heart?” Elder Kauko, seated next to me at this sturdy table laden with scrolls depicting livers, brains, all the bones of the hand and fingers, and so many other fascinating things, adjusts his robe over his round belly. “You are so clever, Elli. Yes, it is like a loop. The blood never leaves the vessels, merely travels through the tunnels until it passes through the heart again.” I frown. “Why, though? Why is it so important, if all it does is flow through our veins? What does it do?” He smiles. When I was little, his lips used to fascinate me; they stick out like two grubs pasted to his pale face. “The blood is life itself. It carries warmth to the limbs and strength to the muscles.” My fingers trace the path of the blood into the lungs. “And what about magic? Does the blood carry magic throughout the body too?” The elder lets out a breath as if I’ve elbowed him, then starts to chuckle. “Magic is more complicated than that.” I blow a strand of my hair off my forehead, frustration warming my skin. “I know it’s not simple, but if the blood is life . . .” I glance at the elder, who waits patiently for my thought to form. “When magic leaves a Valtia, she dies. So it seems as if magic is life too. And if that’s true, then—” He puts up his hands, as if in surrender. “My dear Saadella, magic infuses the wielder. It is everywhere within her.” I tap the diagram. “Including the blood?” “Yes, yes. Including the blood. But—” “Can you distill the magic from the blood, then? Will it separate like oil from water if it sits out overnight? Have you ever—” The elder starts to laugh, his belly wobbling. “Darlin