The Raven’s Trade - The Gilded Crown (The Raven’s Trade, Book 1)
The Witch’s Heart meets The Foxglove King in this debut fantasy about a woman who can bring people back from the dead, and the princess she must protect, no matter the cost
‘Has the feel of an ancient fairy tale freshly told‘ Freya Marske, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Marvellous Light
‘Fantastic series opener… A richly imagined beginning that shouldn’t be missed’ Kirkus
‘Fascinating dark fantasy… A study of kindness and humanity. This series is off to a promising start’ Publishers Weekly
‘A beautiful fantasy full of quests, court intrigue, and star-crossed lovers…’ Library Journal
EVERY LIFE COMES AT A PRICE
The first time Hellevir visited Death, she was ten years old…
Since she was a little girl, Hellevir has been able to raise the dead. Every creature can be saved for a price, a price demanded by the shrouded figure who rules the afterlife, who takes a little more from Hellevir with each soul she resurrects.
Such a gift can rarely remain a secret. When Princess Sullivain, sole heir to the kingdom’s throne, is assassinated, the Queen summons Hellevir to demand she bring her granddaughter back to life. But once is not enough; the killers might strike again. The Princess’ death would cause a civil war, so the Queen commands that Hellevir remain by her side.
But Sullivain is no easy woman to be bound to, even as Hellevir begins to fall in love with her. With the threat of war looming, Hellevir must trade more and more of herself to keep the princess alive.
But Death will always take what he is owed.
Heart-wrenching and romantic, THE GILDED CROWN is for readers who love:
· Sapphic romance
· Unforgettable heroines
· Courtly intrigue
· Complex relationships
· Dark, gothic fairytales
”'Fascinating and fantastic, The Gilded Crown is a heartwrenching exploration of the cost of power, featuring a compelling and unforgettable heroine who possesses a gift that is both wondrous and terrible. I couldn't put it down!' ” - Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of The Queens of Renthia series
”'It evokes the feeling of an old fairytale beautifully told. I loved the push and pull with Death between doing the right thing and keeping herself whole. The queer inclusion with both Hellevir's romance and her brother's relationship made the story feel both timeless and fresh. I love seeing more queer characters in these fantastical worlds. The sapphic romance was the cherry on top of this story for me. Highly recommend for all lovers of fantasy!” - A.K. Mulford, bestselling author of The Five Crowns of Okrith
”'The Gilded Crown has the feel of an ancient fairy tale freshly told. A rich and beautiful story of two women torn between impossible loyalties, this novel lures you effortlessly into a dark river of costly magic and difficult questions, and then refuses to deliver any easy answers. I can't wait to follow Hellevir and Sullivain wherever Death decides to lead them next.' ” - Freya Marske, award-winning author of A Marvellous Light
”'A beautiful fantasy full of quests, court intrigue, and star-crossed lovers.' ” - Library Journal