Prince of Fortune

Sixteen-year-old Prince Edmund of Saben is predestined to be a great and beloved king. This and his title as a Prince of Fortune—a magic user capable of controlling the weather, an ability that enhances crop growth and makes him revered among the nation’s people—marks him as a coveted marriage candidate. With a prophesied confrontation on the horizon with Honal, a secretive nation that split from Saben following a civil war, diplomatic alliances are more important than ever. But when Edmund and Lord Aubrey Ainsley, also 16, cross paths, all political plans are thrown into disarray. Though Aubrey is a seer, he’s considered lesser nobility, yet his charm and confidence melds immediately with Edmund’s shy and anxious nature. Now they must navigate the politics of their courtship, all while the war begins in earnest, with Honal launching brutal attacks enhanced by mysterious magic. Debut author Tirreno excels at crafting a bewitching backdrop of courtly intrigue and fictional international politics that highlights differing social dynamics and the effects of war on lower-class citizens. Readers will root for Saben’s victory alongside Aubrey and Edmund’s sweetly unfolding romance. Main characters read as white. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Oct.)

Correction: The text of this review has been updated for clarity.