And Break the Pretty Kings (The Sacred Bone #1)

A teen must defeat an ancient evil to protect her family and claim her birthright as queen in Jeong’s Korean mythology–inspired fantasy debut, a series launch. As the crown princess of Seolla, 16-year-old Mirae has for her entire life been preparing to become queen—and, by extension, the warden of an evil magic called the Inconstant Son. But when the “generational madness” brought about by the sinister magic’s influence consumes her mother sooner than expected, Mirae must prove she’s ready to ascend the throne by completing the Trial of the Gods. The trial is meant to test her ability to control all four elements, create illusions, and manipulate time—basic tenets of Sacred Bone Magic. Before she can complete the trial, however, Mirae’s beloved older brother Minho is kidnapped by an unknown entity. To rescue him, Mirae, along with her younger brother Hongbin, Minho’s palace aid Siwon, and Captain Jia of the Wonhwa guards, must combat the Inconstant Son’s growing power and reckon with long-buried family secrets. Though sporadic time jumps occasionally cause confusion, the intricate worldbuilding and elaborate magic system, along with Mirae’s growing confidence in herself and developing understanding of what it means to rule, add plentiful layers of intrigue to this whirlwind adventure. Age 13–up. Agent: Holly Root, Root Literary. (June)