First published 2008
Princess Benevolence never expected to inherit a throne. After assassins kill her parents, she finds herself trapped under the rule of Queen Sophia, her manipulative aunt. The Queen starves Ben and locks her in the castle's highest tower as punishment for her defiance. During her imprisonment, Ben discovers a hidden room filled with magical secrets. She teaches herself to fly on a stubborn broomstick, sneaks food from the castle kitchens, and accidentally sets her hair ablaze while practicing spells. Ben knows she lacks the conventional beauty expected of royalty, but she hopes to make up for it with wit and charm. Her magical education becomes her refuge from the Queen's cruelty. Yet Ben's personal struggles pale when a deadly threat emerges against her entire kingdom. She must decide whether to use her newfound powers to fight back against tyranny and save her people.
Genres: adventure, coming-of-age, fantasy, young-adult
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: chosen-one, found-family
Setting: Kingdom
344 pages · Hardcover · Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Content warnings: abuse, violence