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The Gilded Crown by Marianne Gordon (Raven’s Trade, 1 of 2)

$18.99

The Raven's Trade, 1 of 2

Format
Paperback
Pages
384 pages
Published
July 2024
Publisher
Harper Voyager
ISBN
9780063248779

Only 2 left in stock

Why we love this
  • A Unique Magic System: The portrayal of death magic—and the steep physical and emotional cost it demands from the caster with every resurrection—makes the stakes incredibly real.
  • Gothic Fairy Tale Vibes: The writing is lush and atmospheric, reading like an ancient, dark folktale full of whispered secrets, talking animal companions, and a tangible sense of dread.
  • A Complex Sapphic Bond: The dynamic between the empathetic, pragmatic Hellevir and the unpredictable, sharp-edged Princess Sullivain is messy, tense, and intensely fascinating.
  • Morally Gray Choices: There are no simple heroes or villains here. Everyone in this world is driven by deep flaws, impossible loyalties, and a desperate need to survive.
  • Cutthroat Court Politics: The intricate royal machinations and religious tensions create a dangerous environment where trusting the wrong person could cost you everything.

What you are in for

The Witch’s Heart meets The Foxglove King in this debut novel about a woman who can bring people back from the dead, and the princess–and only heir to the throne–that she must protect, no matter the cost. 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’s 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.

About the author

Marianne Gordon

When Marianne’s not reading or writing she enjoys cooking, quilting or sewing, or riding around the countryside on her motorbike. Marianne's debut series, The Raven’s Trade duology, was published by HarperCollins. Her newest cozy fantasy detective series, starting with Alistair Fall and the Restless Dead, will be published with Del Rey US in 2027.

All 1 title by Marianne Gordon →