by Sue Lynn Tan
First published 2025
Yining has learned to steal and lie to survive in the brutal Iron Mountains after her uncle's death. When she obtains a magical ring that promises escape from her harsh life, her step-aunt steals it and forces Yining into the imperial palace to retrieve it. The ruthless prince notices her immediately and offers her luxury beyond imagination. But the palace conceals layers of political scheming and betrayal. Yining finds herself caught between competing powers, with only a secretive advisor from an enemy court as her ally. He harbors his own dangerous mysteries that could destroy them both. To win her freedom and the future she craves, Yining must discover the truth about her origins and choose between safety and the unknown path that both terrifies and attracts her.
Genres: romance, adventure, fantasy, political-thriller
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Iron Mountains, Imperial Palace
368 pages · Hardcover · Hodderscape