The Starlight Heir

Howard (The Worst Duke in London) turns from Regency to romantasy in a propulsive outing that brims with action, betrayal, and plenty of spice. Twenty-four-year-old Suraya Saab lives a quietly comfortable life in the relatively poor desert city of Coban in the kingdom of Oryndhr, earning a living by forging weapons (for which she occasionally uses illegal pieces of crystallized magic) and helping out at her father’s tavern. Then she receives an invitation to join the pool of women from which the Crown Prince will choose a bride. After determining that this is not a prank, Suraya heads to the capital, where dangerous adventure awaits. The plot thickens with the introduction of a distractingly dashing castle gardener; attacks by the Dahaka, a rebel organization determined to be free of Imperial rule; and a series of trials designed to test each lovely candidate for the Prince’s hand. Intrigue abounds as Suraya navigates court politics, ancient prophecies, and mystical happenings that have her doubting her own mind at times. Sharp dialogue elevates the romance, while the rich worldbuilding, filled with Indian, Middle Eastern, and Caribbean influences, provides an elegant framework to showcase a strong, determined, and capable female protagonist. Readers will eagerly await the sequel. Agent: Thao Le, Sandra Dijkstra Literary. (Jan.)