The Hanging City

Holmberg (the Star Mother series) delivers a spellbinding romantasy set in a world where humans and trolls are locked in a long-standing war. Human Calia “Lark” Thellele is born with the secret ability to project fear into any living creature. This gift, even when she’s not using it, sparks fear and rage in her abusive family and, ultimately, leads human civilization to cast her out. Desperate, Lark seeks refuge in the troll city of Cagmar—but to gain admittance, she must barter her abilities, agreeing to wield her power against Cagmar’s enemies in exchange for asylum. Cagmar is a fully realized society with an intense caste system, and as Lark learns to navigate this strange new world, she comes to question humanity’s side in the war, finding friends, family, and unexpected romance with a troll. Holmberg does a fantastic job of humanizing her nonhuman characters, and while the plot veers into some dark territory with scenes of warfare, domestic abuse, and attempted rape, the story never loses its heart. This twisty adventure will have fantasy readers hooked. Agent: Marlene Stringer, Stringer Literary. (Sept.)