A Cruel and Fated Light

Description

An ailing king. An ambitious queen. Four tenuous friends. And a deadly game that threatens them all. The stakes are higher than ever in this thrilling sequel to A Dark and Hollow Star. After thwarting the man behind the gruesome ironborn murders - and breaking several fae laws to do so - all Arlo wants is a quiet summer. As the deity of luck's Hollow Star, capable of bringing about endless possibilities, this shouldn't be too much to ask, right? But someone is still trying to summon the mythical Seven Deadly Sins. All signs point to immortal meddling, and if this is the gods' attempt at returning to the Mortal Realm, it's Arlo they're going to use to do it. When Queen Riadne offers to host Arlo at the Seelie Summer palace, she jumps at the chance. She'll get to see more of Vehan and Aurelian and perhaps even work out her complicated feelings for the gorgeous ex-Fury, Nausicaa. But no one trusts the infamous Queen of Light, even as Arlo wonders if she's just been greatly misunderstood. With the Summer Solstice quickly approaching, everyone expects Riadne to finally challenge the High King for his crown. And as Arlo struggles to get control of her powers and take charge of her destiny, she'll soon be faced with a choice that won't only change the fate of the Mortal Realm forever, but could condemn it to a cruelty the likes of which the Courts have never known.

Ashley Shuttleworth is a young adult fantasy author with a degree in English literature and a slight obsession with The Legend of Zelda, Kingdom Hearts, and Final Fantasy. They currently live in Ontario, Canada, with their cat named Zack and a growing collection of cosplay swords.

PRAISE FOR ASHLEY SHUTTLEWORTH A dazzling sequel with enough tantalizing court intrigue, reveals, and secrets to keep you on the edge of your seat. Shuttleworth expertly expands the beautiful and cruel world of the fae with rich world-building and intricate character work in this must-read follow up to A Dark and Hollow Star * Liselle Sambury, author of BLOOD LIKE MAGIC and BLOOD LIKE FATE * A gripping flight into fantasy * Kirkus * Beautifully written and deliciously complex, A Dark and Hollow Star is utterly engrossing. The magic is bloody, the humor sharp, and the murder mystery drenched in violence and intrigue. Like a fallen Fury set on vengeance, I couldn't get enough * Nicki Pau Preto, author of the Crown of Feathers series * A promising opener to an urban faerie fantasy series featuring multiple queer identities * School Library Journal on A DARK AND HOLLOW STAR * Shuttleworth sensitively tackles the plot's darker elements, including trauma and suicidal ideation, tempering them with tenderness and wry wit. A kaleidoscopic narrative adds depth and drive * Publishers Weekly *