The Gilded Crown (The Raven’s Trade, Book 1)

The Witch’s Heart meets The Foxglove King in this debut fantasy about a woman who can bring people back from the dead, and the princess she must protect, no matter the cost 'Has the feel of an ancient fairy tale freshly told' Freya Marske, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Marvellous Light 'Fantastic series opener… A richly imagined beginning that shouldn’t be missed' Kirkus 'Fascinating dark fantasy… A study of kindness and humanity. This series is off to a promising start' Publishers Weekly 'A beautiful fantasy full of quests, court intrigue, and star-crossed lovers…' Library Journal EVERY LIFE COMES AT A PRICE The first time Hellevir visited Death, she was ten years old… Since she was a little girl, Hellevir has been able to raise the dead. Every creature can be saved for a price, a price demanded by the shrouded figure who rules the afterlife, who takes a little more from Hellevir with each soul she resurrects. Such a gift can rarely remain a secret. When Princess Sullivain, sole heir to the kingdom’s throne, is assassinated, the Queen summons Hellevir to demand she bring her granddaughter back to life. But once is not enough; the killers might strike again. The Princess’ death would cause a civil war, so the Queen commands that Hellevir remain by her side. But Sullivain is no easy woman to be bound to, even as Hellevir begins to fall in love with her. With the threat of war looming, Hellevir must trade more and more of herself to keep the princess alive. But Death will always take what he is owed. Heart-wrenching and romantic, THE GILDED CROWN is for readers who love: · Sapphic romance · Unforgettable heroines · Courtly intrigue · Complex relationships · Dark, gothic fairytales In The Gilded Crown, Marianne Gordon masterfully combines elements of mythology, folk tales, and adventure to create an epic narrative. The action-filled plot keeps readers engaged as they follow Hellevir's journey of love and sacrifice. For fans of Carissa Broadbent (Six Scorched Roses), Rachel Gillig (Two Twisted Crowns), Kate Golden (A Reign of Rose), Holly Black (The Folk of the Air Series Boxset), and K.A. Linde (The Wren in the Holly Library). HarperCollins 2023