by Alex Aster
First published 2025
Two rulers compete for the same woman's heart. Grim opens his story by examining the events that shaped his destiny as Isla's suitor. His past reveals the motivations that drove him toward love. Oro tells his own version from a king's perspective. He struggles between his duty to deliver justice and his overwhelming passion for Isla. Both men recount pivotal moments from their relationships with her. Grim describes how fate bound him to Isla. Oro explores his torn identity as a leader who loves a woman more than his crown. Their competing narratives expose the complexity of their shared pursuit. Each ruler believes his claim to Isla's affection runs deeper than his rival's. The two accounts create a complete picture of their romantic rivalry. Readers witness the same love story through two different sets of eyes. Both men fight for the same prize while revealing their vulnerabilities and desires.
Genres: romance, literary-fiction, historical-fiction, fantasy
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, unreliable-narrator
504 pages · Hardcover · Harry N. Abrams