"I love the magic Lucier weaves through this dark yet hopeful tale. I devoured it in one sitting!" --Kristin Cashore, author of the New York Times bestselling Graceling Realm books "A beautifully crafted novel containing everything I love in an epic fantasy: complex characters and relationships, excellent world building, and a compelling story full of twists and turns." --Juliet Marillier, author of the Blackthorn & Grim and Warrior Bards series From the writer whose stories have been called "brilliant" ( Booklist ), "masterful" ( Horn Book ), and "breathtaking" ( School Library Journal ), comes a romantic new standalone fantasy. The past never forgets . . . Before an ambush by enemy soldiers, Lord Cassia was an engineer's apprentice on a mission entrusted by the king. But when plague sweeps over the land, leaving countless dead and devastating the kingdom, even Cas' title cannot save him from a rotting prison cell and a merciless sickness. Three years later, Cas wants only to return to his home in the mountains and forget past horrors. But home is not what here members. His castle has become a refuge for the royal court. And they have brought their enemies with them. When an assassin targets those closest to the queen, Cas is drawn into a search for a killer...one that leads him to form an unexpected bond with a brilliant young historian named Lena. Cas and Lena soon realize that who is behind the attacks is far less important than why . They must look to the past, following the trail of a terrible secret--one that could threaten the kingdom's newfound peace and plunge it back into war. THE NEW YORK TIMES , "4 New YA Fantasy Novels Full of Dark, Enchanting, Twists" BUZZFEED , "Best Books of November" BUSTLE , "The Most Anticipated Books of November" BUZZFEED , "40 YA SciFi/Fantasy Books That Are Definitely Worth Picking Up" CULTURESS , "12 Spellbinding New Science Fiction and Fantasy Books to Read this November" EPIC READS , "Best New YA Books of November" BOOK RIOT , "Most Exciting Young Adult Books of the Month" BLUE WILLOW BOOKSHOP , "YA First Editions Club November Pick" ★ "(F)ascinating....Part political mystery, part dark adventure fantasy, this is a book you'll want to devour in one sitting. Deeply satisfying." —School Library Journal, STARRED review "(A) refreshing stand-alone novel... Full of complex characters and unexpected twists, this moving book explores what it means to rebuild and how much history depends on who is left to tell it." — Jennifer Harlan , The New York Times "Lucier wastes no time in this gripping mystery: Every twist is carefully plotted, and the worldbuilding is intricate yet effortless .Each of Cas' relationships, even those with the spirits he encounters, is distinct, and, like him, readers will find it difficult to judge who is trustworthy....A captivating stand-alone fantasy." —Kirkus " The gripping narrative glides along via Lucier's spare, deftly employed prose style, while Cas's fiercely affectionate relationship with his brother Ventillas lends the plot particular warmth, deepening its moving and thought-provoking depictions of various characters." —Publishers Weekly " (A) captivating world." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "A stunning new read, with a compelling central mystery and detailed worldbuilding. Readers will try and unfold the mystery as Cas does, delighting as the pieces begin to fall together. Lucier is a masterful storyteller, and this fantasy feels absolutely timeless." - Rachel Strolle , BuzzFeed Books, teen services librarian Makiia Lucier is the author of Year of the Reaper , the Isle of Blood and Stone duology, and A Death-Struck Year . Her stories are inspired by history and mythology and have been called "brilliant" ( Booklist ), "moving," ( New York Times ), "masterful" ( Horn Book ), and "breathtaking" ( School Library Journal ). They can be found on many notable lists, including the Kids' Indie Next and the American Library Association's 'Best Fiction for Young Adults.' Makiia grew up on the Pacific island of Guam, not too far from the equator, and holds degrees in journalism and library science. She lives with her family in Portland, Oregon.