by Judy I. Lin
First published 2022
The Banished Prince has seized control of Dàxi through mass poisonings that spread terror across the kingdom. Ning, a shénnóng-shi who wields magic through tea-making, has helped Princess Zhen escape into exile. The princess travels with her bodyguard Ruyi and Ning's sister Shu, searching for allies who will help them overthrow the usurper and restore Zhen to her rightful place on the dragon throne. But Ning suffers from visions sent by a golden serpent, nightmares filled with war and death. These dreams warn of an ancient evil that has awakened, something far older and more dangerous than the political struggle tearing the kingdom apart. As the four young women journey across Dàxi, they discover that even their combined magical abilities may prove insufficient against the dark force threatening to devour everything.
Genres: adventure, fantasy, young-adult, epic-fantasy
Vibes: dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Dàxi
343 pages · Hardcover · Feiwel and Friends
Content warnings: violence