A Treason of Thorns

In this moving 19th-century fantasy, a young woman who has long dreamed of becoming a Caretaker to one of five sentient Great Houses, “whose vast magic governs the well-being of England,” must choose between obligation and love. Upon the death of her father, Violet Sterling becomes responsible for Burleigh House, whose power affects the West Country. But Burleigh is sick following years without a Caretaker, crumbling as its essence spirals out of control, and the King will burn it if Violet can’t reverse things by summer’s end. Her only hope is to find its long-hidden deed and unbind Burleigh from the monarch’s control—the same treasonous act whose mere planning cost her father his life, an act that the House itself is commanded to prevent. Furthermore, the fate of Wyn, Violet’s beloved childhood companion, is also tied up in Burleigh’s survival. With lush prose and an eye for atmospheric detail, Weymouth (The Light Between Worlds) adeptly spins a tale in which the heroine is torn between passion and purpose, destruction and duty. The love triangle may involve a sentient place of power, but Weymouth imbues the story with enough emotion that the plot’s final outcome never feels set in stone. Ages 13–up. Agent: Lauren Spieller, TriadaUS. [em](Sept.) [/em]