Servant of Earth

Hawley (A Werewolf’s Guide to Seducing a Vampire) nimbly pivots from contemporary paranormal rom-com to full-on romantasy in her steamy Shards of Magic series opener. “Half-feral” Kenna Heron would do anything for her best friend, Anya Hayes. So when Anya is chosen to march through a treacherous bog to the Fae Court as a gift from their human village to the fairies of Mistei, Kenna follows. Idealistic Anya believes they’re headed to a life of luxury; cynical Kenna worries the Fae are malevolent and hopes to either escape or at least die together. Upon arrival, the monstrous King Osric appoints Kenna as maidservant to Lara, heir of Earth House, during the Fae trials, a tournament that grants the victors immortality and magic. Though this is meant as an insult, there are advantages: magicless Kenna can go where the fairies cannot and illegally help Lara in the trials. When charismatic Prince Drustan of Fire House and mysterious Lord Kallen of Void House also realize how useful a human spy can be, Kenna is swept into court machinations that could lead either to her freedom or to her death. The inevitable sex scenes sizzle, but Hawley truly shines in her depiction of female friendship. Fans of Sarah J. Maas will find much to enjoy in this twisty tale of rebellion and romance. (Nov.)