In Deeper Waters

The royal family of Harth has always kept Prince Taliesin’s magic out of the public eye, since the kingdom’s former monarch destroyed his enemies via “unspeakable” magical means. Now that Tal’s 16, though, it’s time for his coming-of-age tour—he’ll see the kingdom and have a little fun before taking on official duties. But things go wrong quickly when he and his crew encounter a derelict boat in flames: aboard it are a suspicious treasure hoard and a handsome, mysterious scapegrace, Athlen, who discovers Tal’s secret before disappearing into the sea. When Tal, who’s bisexual, meets Athlen again on shore, their attraction deepens. But can they build a relationship given Tal’s constant struggle with how or whether to hide his magic, Athlen’s tragic background, and the political tensions that put Tal’s life at risk? The quasi-medieval, semi-magical setting is a bit pro forma, but Lukens (the Rules series) has created attractive heroes in Tal and Athlen, and their romance is rendered with a light touch and a straightforward resolution, making the book a good fit for fantasy fans a bit younger than the stated age range. Ages 14–up. [em]Agent: Eva Scalzo, Speilburg Literary Agency. (Apr.) [/em]