A Traitorous Heart

Life in 16th-century Paris is complicated for bisexual Jacqueline “Jac” d’Argenson-Aunis: despite her father’s “lowborn nobody” status, Jac is employed as a lady-in-waiting to French princess Marguerite “Margot” de Valois—who’s also Jac’s former lover. Jac’s unconventional upbringing with her enigmatic oncle, the Queen’s spymaster and a member of a secret society, has made her crave a life of adventure. But somehow, things get even more convoluted when Margot’s mother schemes for Margot to marry Huguenot prince Henry of Navarre in a union that the matriarch hopes will keep France from civil war. To Jac’s surprise, she finds herself drawn to the handsome (and similarly bisexual) prince. While those well-versed in the time period may think they know how this historical romance by Cotter (By Any Other Name) will end, heaps of magic, witchcraft, swordplay, and intrigue keep the fantastical mystery and tension high. Lengthy exposition and slow buildup aside, Cotter charms with the adventures of bold Jac, self-indulgent Margot, and courageous Henry as they search for a way to both save their country and forge their own paths despite limited time and agency. Main characters read as white. Ages 14–up. Agent: Kari Sutherland, KT literary. (Jan.)