First published 2023
Vanja Schmidt never meant to create a religion. She defeated a corrupt margrave, broke a curse, and found love with Junior Prefect Emeric Conrad. Now she searches for her birth family while trying to earn money honestly. When trouble strikes, she invents the Scarlet Maiden as part of a con. The fabricated deity takes on a life of its own and demands Emeric as a virgin sacrifice. Emeric arrives to investigate whether Vanja committed fraud or if the Scarlet Maiden actually exists. His career depends on getting the answer right. Vanja hunts for an alternative sacrifice to save him. Her quest takes her into monster lairs and divine realms while uncovering secrets from her past. The simplest solution to rescue Emeric looms before them, but both must confront a harder question. Can a thief and a prefect build a future together, and what must they sacrifice to find out?
Genres: mystery, fantasy, fantasy-romance, historical-fantasy
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
512 pages · Hardcover · Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Content warnings: violence