by Tahereh Mafi
First published 2025
The wedding day arrives for Alizeh, the Jinn queen, and Cyrus, ruler of Tulan. Their magical ceremony should mark a celebration, but Cyrus finds no joy in marrying someone bound by oath to murder him. Alizeh loves Cyrus deeply, yet ancient magic compels her to kill him with her own hands to free her people. Prince Kamran waits nearby, ready to claim his place beside Alizeh once Cyrus dies. The wedding draws dangerous enemies who threaten war. Alizeh must unlock her magical powers to protect her people while evading those who would stop her. She flees with Cyrus, Kamran, and their allies from Ardunia on dragon-back toward the legendary Arya mountains. Their perilous journey leads to shocking revelations, new magical discoveries, and unexpected allies. Every loyalty faces testing as dark secrets emerge. When the truth about the Tulanian king finally surfaces, everything changes. Alizeh and Cyrus confront impossible choices between duty and desire, prophecy and love.
Genres: romance, adventure, fantasy, epic
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: chosen-one, enemies-to-lovers, forbidden-love
Setting: Ardunia, Tulan, Arya Mountains
Period: Ancient
480 pages · Hardcover · Storytide
Content warnings: violence