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Windmill Hill: the sharply funny and compulsive new novel from the author of Magpie Lane
by Lucy Atkins'Brilliantly observed. I loved it' CLAIRE FULLER'Lucy Atkins, a one-of-a-kind author, has reached new heights' MICK HERRON'A triumph. Funny, mysterious, moving and ingenious - a Shakespearian knot of happiness all round' PHILIP PULLMANOne night in a remote hunting lodge with a Hollywood director causes an international scandal that wrecks Astrid's glittering stage career, and her marriage. Her ex-husband, the charismatic Scottish actor Magnus Fellowes, goes on to find global fame, while Astrid retreats to a disintegrating Sussex windmill.Now 82, she lives there still, with a troupe of dachshunds and her long-suffering friend, Mrs Baker, who came to clean twenty years ago and never left. But the past is catching up with them. There has been an 'Awful Incident' at the windmill; the women are in shock. Then Astrid hears that Magnus, now on his death bed, is writing a tell-all memoir. Outraged, she sets off for Scotland, determined to stop him.Windmill Hill is the story of two very different women, both with painful pasts, and their eccentric friendship - deep, enduring, and loyal to the last.PRAISE FOR LUCY ATKINS'It was an utter joy to relish Atkins's wonderfully skilled and unobtrusive writing and lose myself in the mystery' Sarah Perry'An utterly compelling read' Claire Fuller'Sly, witty and gripping . . . I loved it' Naomi Alderman'Atkins excels at characterisation' Guardian'A sinewy, supple and gorgeously satisfying triumph' Lucy Mangan'Gripping as well as beautifully written' Polly Samson(P)2023 Quercus Editions Ltd
Windmill Hill: the sharply funny and compulsive new novel from the author of Magpie Lane
by Lucy Atkins'Rich in charm and surprises' GUARDIAN'A triumph. Funny, mysterious, moving and ingenious - a Shakespearian knot of happiness all round' PHILIP PULLMAN'Brilliantly observed. I loved it' CLAIRE FULLER ''A truly memorable story, I loved it' JOANNA CANNON 'An intriguing, brilliantly told story' NINA STIBBE 'Charming and shocking . . . Never fails to delight' MICK HERRON One night in a remote hunting lodge with a Hollywood director causes an international scandal that wrecks Astrid's glittering stage career, and her marriage. Her ex-husband, the charismatic Scottish actor Magnus Fellowes, goes on to find global fame, while Astrid retreats to a disintegrating Sussex windmill. Now 82, she lives there still, with a troupe of dachshunds and her long-suffering friend, Mrs Baker, who came to clean twenty years ago and never left. But the past is catching up with them. There has been an 'Awful Incident' at the windmill; the women are in shock. Then Astrid hears that Magnus, now on his death bed, is writing a tell-all memoir. Outraged, she sets off for Scotland, determined to stop him. Windmill Hill is the story of two very different women, both with painful pasts, and their eccentric friendship - deep, enduring, and loyal to the last. Praise for Lucy Atkins:'A deft display of Lucy Atkins's talents as a delicate observer of human nature' ARIFA AKBAR'Compulsive and skilfully woven' CLARE CHAMBERS'Intelligent and gripping' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING'Mesmerising . . . beautifully written' LITERARY REVIEW'Cleverly constructed' WOMAN & HOME'It was an utter joy to relish Atkins's wonderfully skilled and unobtrusive writing' SARAH PERRY 'Sly, witty and gripping . . . I loved it' NAOMI ALDERMAN 'A sinewy, supple and gorgeously satisfying triumph' LUCY MANGAN
Windmill Windup
by Matthew F ChristopherKelly Conroy is ready for the upcoming softball season. Last year her team almost won the championship. She can't wait to rejoin her team mates and conquer the competition. Then the bomb is dropped - she's been assigned to another team! Further complicating her life, her mum is spending all her free time with some guy Kelly can't stand. And on the field, Kelly finds herself facing a new windmill pitch she can't connect with. Suddenly, the best season of Kelly's life is turning into a nightmare.
The Window
by Amelia BrunskillIf you love The Third Twin and One of Us Is Lying and binge-watched Thirteen Reasons Why, get ready for a heart-wrenching psychological thriller about a girl who knows her twin sister better than anyone . . . or does she? Taut and atmospheric, The Window will keep you guessing until the end.Secrets have a way of getting out. . . .Anna is everything her identical twin is not. Outgoing and athletic, she is the opposite of quiet introvert Jess. The same on the outside, yet so completely different inside--it's hard to believe the girls are sisters, let alone twins. But they are. And they tell each other everything.Or so Jess thought. After Anna falls to her death while sneaking out her bedroom window, Jess's life begins to unravel. Everyone says it was an accident, but to Jess, that doesn't add up. Where was Anna going? Who was she meeting? And how long had Anna been lying to her?Jess is compelled to learn everything she can about the sister she thought she knew. At first it's a way to stay busy and find closure . . . but Jess soon discovers that her twin kept a lot of secrets. And as she digs deeper, she learns that the answers she's looking for may be truths that no one wants her to uncover.Because Anna wasn't the only one with secrets."A gripping tale of suspense, secrets, and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood."—Karen M. McManus, New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying"Layered and compelling, THE WINDOW is a fast-paced mystery anchored by a bold and intriguing protagonist, and you won’t want to put it down until you’ve uncovered every last one of its secrets!"—Caleb Roehrig, author of Last Seen Leaving "Lyrical and haunting, with plenty of twists that kept me reading long into the night.”—Kara Thomas, author of The Darkest Corners
The Window
by Michael DorrisWhen ten-year-old Rayona's Native American mother enters a treatment facility, her estranged father, a black man, finally introduces her to his side of the family, who are not at all what she expected.
Window on the World: An Operation World Prayer Resource (Operation World Resources)
by Molly Wall Jason MandrykWindow on the WorldOperation WorldWindow on the WorldWindow on the World
A Window Opens: A Novel
by Elisabeth EganWhat happens when having it all proves too much to handle? In this “fresh, funny take on the age-old struggle to have it all” (People) a wife and mother of three leaps at the chance to fulfill her professional destiny—only to learn every opportunity comes at a price.“A winning, heartfelt debut” (Good Housekeeping), A Window Opens introduces Alice Pearse, a compulsively honest, longing-to-have-it-all, sandwich generation heroine for our social-media-obsessed, lean in (or opt out) age. Like her fictional forebears Kate Reddy and Bridget Jones, Alice plays many roles (which she never refers to as “wearing many hats” and wishes you wouldn’t, either). She is a (mostly) happily married mother of three, an attentive daughter, an ambivalent dog-owner, a part-time editor, a loyal neighbor and a Zen commuter. She is not: a cook, a craftswoman, a decorator, an active PTA member, a natural caretaker, or the breadwinner. But when her husband makes a radical career change, Alice is ready to lean in—and she knows exactly how lucky she is to land a job at Scroll, a hip young start-up which promises to be the future of reading. The Holy Grail of working mothers―an intellectually satisfying job and a happy personal life―seems suddenly within reach. Despite the disapproval of her best friend, who owns the local bookstore, Alice is proud of her new “balancing act” (which is more like a three-ring circus) until her dad gets sick, her marriage flounders, her babysitter gets fed up, her kids start to grow up, and her work takes an unexpected turn. In the midst of her second coming of age, Alice realizes the question is not whether it’s possible to have it all but, what does she really want the most? “Smart and entertaining…with refreshing straight-forwardness and humor” (The Washington Post), “fans of I Don’t Know How She Does It and Where’d You Go, Bernadette will adore A Window Opens” (Booklist, starred review).
Windows to the Womb: Revealing the Conscious Baby from Conception to Birth
by David ChamberlainWindows to the Womb is an eloquent guide through the first nine months of life from conception to birth. In the past, the invisible physical processes of fetal development were mysterious and largely unexplainable, but in the past half-century, breakthroughs in embryology, interuterine photography, ultrasound, and other sensitive instruments of measurement have enabled us to make systematic observations inside the womb. We now understand that fetuses are fully sentient and aware beings. In this new climate of appreciation for the surprising dimensions of fetal behavior, sensitivity, and intelligence, this book brings a host of new information to light about the transformative journey each one of us must undergo in the womb.With reverent awe, the author describes the amazing construction of our physical bodies, the "ultimate architecture," and draws parallels with the expansion of our minds as our brains and senses develop and grow. Dr. Chamberlain details new discoveries in embryonic and fetal research that support his own findings on the impact of the mother's emotional and physical state during pregnancy; the importance of bonding at the earliest stages, long before birth; and the steps that expectant parents can take to ensure the most nurturing start in life for their children.From the Trade Paperback edition.
The Windsor Conspiracy: A Novel of the Crown, a Conspiracy and the Duchess of Windsor
by Georgie BlalockGeorgie Blalock, the acclaimed author of The Other Windsor Girl, delivers an enchantingly reimagined fictional portrait of Wallis Simpson through the lens of her cousin who is engaged to spy on the Duchess of Windsor for her alleged Nazi sympathies and finds much more than she bargained for!American Amelia Montague defied her family five years ago to marry the man she loved, but that decision cost her everything. Disowned by her family, and left a penniless widow after her husband’s death, Amelia becomes her cousin Wallis Simpson’s private secretary in France. With no other prospects available, Amelia has no choice but to succeed, and under their Aunt Bessie’s direction, hopes to have a positive influence on Wallis and the Duke of Windsor.During the next two years, Amelia realizes that not everything with the Windsors is glittering happiness. Beneath the façade of the besotted couple simmers Wallis’s rage at her stunted ambition, and the couple soon reveal themselves to be self-centered Nazi supporters who pursue their own interests at any cost.When the Germans invade France, and the Windsors leave Amelia to escape the Gestapo on her own, Amelia finds herself in position to work for the most unlikely of employers: MI5 and the FBI. Convinced to work undercover, Amelia joins the Windsors in Nassau and soon realizes that Wallis’s treachery extends far deeper than the US and British government even knows…Richly imaginative, Georgie Blalock’s novel stuns as it explores two women, opposites in every way, and the choices they make to survive both war and each other. . .
Windswept: A Fantasy Novel
by Gwen Cole&“A poignant and heartfelt journey.&” —Wendy Higgins, New York Times bestselling author of the Sweet Evil series, on Cold SummerEvery day, Sam endures the same subway ride on her way to school, but when she meets a boy named Reid, suddenly her daily commute isn&’t so ordinary. Reid has the ability to teleport—or, drift, as he calls it—and for the first time, Sam has the opportunity to travel anywhere without a passport or plane ticket. But as their two worlds come together, Sam discovers her family had been keeping secrets from her, and meeting Reid was just the beginning of unraveling the truth. When drifters begin to disappear, Sam has no choice but to face the threat when she finds out her family is among the missing. As Reid and Sam start their search for the missing drifters, help comes from the most unexpected of places. After a significant breakthrough, Reid is taken, and Sam finds herself alone in a world she knows nothing about. With the enemy closing in, she soon realizes she&’s the only person who can save them all.
The Windy Hill
by Cornelia MeigsWill these two siblings help solve a family mystery? Find out in one of the earliest Newbery Honor Award winners! Brother and sister, Oliver and Janet, are excited to spend their summer with their cousin Jasper, who has always been cheerful and fun to be around. However, when the children arrive at his home, Jasper is despondent and distracted—nothing like the cousin they know. Eventually, the children discover that their cousin has been having trouble with a neighbor but is doing nothing to fix the problem! The siblings want to help . . . but how? Enter in The Beeman, a neighbor who regales Oliver and Janet with enchanting stories of local history. The two siblings visit the friendly neighbor more and more to hear his amazing stories but continue to wonder how they can help their cousin. As it turns out, The Beeman&’s tales of their family history just so happen to contain the secret to helping Jasper with his villainous neighbor! With beautiful, descriptive prose, this classic award-winner is perfect for young readers eager for a good, wholesome mystery. Whether you read it alone or as a family, get ready to be swept away by The Windy Hill!
Wine Makes Mommy Clever
by Andy RileyFrom the author of the Bunny Suicides series and Beer Makes Daddy Strong comes a hilarious collection detailing all the endearing oddities of motherhood. Mommy loves chocolate cake (no matter how bad it is for her), has magical spit (removes any stain!), and loves spa treatments (especially when she&’s not the one paying). Whether she&’s admiring her shoe collection or hiding Daddy&’s favorite grungy T-shirt, Mommy&’s always there doing her best to be the greatest. Including sixty all-new cartoons from Andy Riley, Wine Makes Mommy Clever is an affectionate, witty tribute to moms everywhere. Praise for Beer Makes Daddy Strong &“This will make you laugh. It is a piece of artwork, really; a collection of cartoons capturing those &‘dad moments&’ that can be humiliating, embarrassing or just plain stupid.&” —The Daily Telegraph &“Laugh-out-loud tour through life as a first, from the first ultrasound to holiday traffic jams and pipe and slippers time.&” —News of the World &“Funny, true, and—speaking as a dad—embarrassingly accurate.&” —Chris Addison
A Wing and a Prayer: A young woman’s journey to love and happiness
by Lyn AndrewsShe's seen enough of selfish and violent men to doubt she'll ever marry - but one man might change her mind... Lyn Andrews' A Wing and a Prayer is a compelling saga of Liverpool life in the early twentieth century for one troubled family. Perfect for fans of Anne Baker, Dilly Court and Annie Murray. For Mary Callaghan marriage has brought heartaches and disappointment. But with it have come joys, the greatest of which are her daughters, Daisy and Nell. Mary longs for them to have the one thing denied to her - a husband who will offer them kindness, security and love.But when Daisy confesses she's pregnant, the future looks grim, for the father's a rough, pleasure-loving man. As Nell watches her sister sink into bitter poverty, and as the world around her grows more uncertain, with war more likely by the day, risking all for love seems to Nell a foolish game... What readers are saying about A Wing and a Prayer: 'Just couldn't put this down, a brilliant story by a wonderful author... her imagination is certainly a gift''Lyn Andrews writes from the heart'
A Wing and a Prayer: A young woman's journey to love and happiness
by Lyn AndrewsFor Mary Callaghan marriage has brought heartaches and disappointment. But with it have come joys, the greatest of which are her daughters, Daisy and Nell. Mary longs for them to have the one thing denied to her -- a husband who will offer them kindness, security and love. But when Daisy confesses she's pregnant, Mary knows the future looks grim, for the father's a rough, pleasure-loving man. As Nell watches her sister sink into bitter poverty, and as the world around her grows more uncertain, with war more likely by the day, risking all for love seems to Nell a foolish game...(P)2012 Headline Digital
A Wing And A Prayer
by Mary SelbyIn the quiet village of Great Barking, strange doings are afoot.Up at the Hall the squire, Sir George, seems to have exhausted his wife Angela - leaving her quite unable to contemplate the rigours of hosting the annual village fête in the Hall grounds.Caroline, the doctor's wife, has her time taken up with her three tiny children, but feels that as a newcomer to the village she should offer her own rather more modest garden as the venue for this important local affair. But who is to open it?Will Sir George's elderly mother, now somewhat unpredictable, be asked, as tradition dictates?Or should Sarah Struther, the voluptuous lady potter who prefers to work unencumbered by clothing and who has just been featured in a smart Sunday newspaper, be invited?The village fête committee decides that a commission to Sarah to fashion a special pot for the fête, to be entitled The Organ (suggesting the need for funds to combat dry rot in the organ loft) may be a better idea, little suspecting that the title may be open to misconstruction.And in the churchyard the tall privet bush has been lovingly fashioned by old Jacob Bean into a shape so curious that coachloads of sightseers start arriving to view it...
Wing Nut
by Mary Jane AuchWhen twelve-year-old Grady and his mother relocate yet again, they find work taking care of an elderly man, who teaches Grady about cars, birds, and what it means to have a home.
Wingfeather Saga 4-Book Bundle (The Wingfeather Saga)
by Andrew PetersonFor the first time ever, enjoy the beloved, bestselling Wingfeather Saga in its entirety with this convenient ebook bundle!This collection of Andrew Peterson&’s Wingfeather Saga includes all four novels: On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, North! Or Be Eaten, The Monster in the Hollows, and The Warden and the Wolf King.Janner Igiby, his brother, Tink, and their disabled sister, Leeli, are gifted children as all children are, loved well by a noble mother and ex-pirate grandfather. But they will need all their gifts and all that they love to survive the evil pursuit of the venomous Fangs of Dang, who have crossed the dark sea to rule the land with malice. The Igibys hold the secret to the lost legend and jewels of good King Wingfeather of the Shining Isle of Anniera. Andrew Peterson&’s sweeping saga is full of characters rich in heart, smarts, and courage. It is a tale that children of all ages will cherish, families can read aloud, and readers' groups are sure to enjoy discussing for its many layers of meaning. Each book features interior illustrations from Joe Sutphin, funny footnotes, a map of the fantastical world, inventive appendices, and fanciful line art.
Wingfeather Tales: Seven Thrilling Stories from the World of Aerwiar (The Wingfeather Saga)
by Jonathan Rogers N. D. Wilson Jennifer Trafton Douglas Kaine McKelveyReturn to the world of the Wingfeather Saga with Andrew Peterson and his all-star author friends—now featuring new illustrations and the first-ever Wingfeather comic!Immerse yourself in a land of bomnubbles and quarreling cousins, sea dragons and book publishers, thieves and Fangs and secret maps. Here within these pages lie seven stories of the distant past, lost adventures, forgotten songs, and heartbreaking histories. The Shining Isle is restored, but Aerwiar is vast—and these authors have tales yet to tell: • Explore the inner walls of Yorsha Doon, just West of the Woes of Shreve, on the edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, from the eyes of young Safiki in &“The Prince of Yorsha Doon&” from the creator of Aewiar, Andrew Peterson. • Jennifer Trafton's warm and whimsical writing brings to life a publishing nightmare populated by the many beasts of Skree in &“The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe.&” • Learn the origins of Ollister Pebmrick's mysterious entry in the Creaturepedia about his encounter with a raggant in &“Willow Worlds&” by N. D. Wilson. • Travel with young Podo Helmer on an epic hunt for sea dragons in &“From the Deeps of the Dragon King&” from A. S. Peterson. • Jonathan Rogers presents &“The Ballard of Lanric and Rube,&” sung by Armulyn the Bard, tale-spinner of the imaginary Shining Isle of Anniera, in On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. • Discover what life was like for Maraly and Gammon in post-war Skree in &“Shadowblade and the Florid Sword"—the first-ever Wingfeather comic—by Andrew Peterson. • Douglas McKelvey's epic, heartbreakingly hopeful novella "The Places Beyond the Maps&” recounts a father's journey to redemption.You'll also find delightful illustrations by Justin Gerard, Hein Zaayman, Cory Godbey, John Hendrix, Nicholas Kole, Aedan Peterson, Joe Sutphin, Jay Myers, and Doug TenNapel.Enter a rich, imaginative world that becomes more real, more mysterious, more dangerous, and more beautiful with each story's telling.
Winging It: The hilarious and relatable lockdown read for all mums
by Anna Jefferson'If you've ever felt like everyone else knows what they're doing when it comes to their baby while you struggle to change a nappy, then this hilarious and all-too relatable novel is for you!' Fabulous ----Emily is sure she's getting this baby stuff all wrong. Why does everyone else look like they're smashing motherhood when she's barely made it out of her maternity leggings and out of the house? Her other half tries to say all the right things (can't he just keep making her toast?). Her mum is brilliant (but on the other side of the country). Her two new mum-friends seem to feel like misfits too - but there's really just one person she wants to open up to . . . only Emily hasn't spoken to her for fifteen years. Lonely but not alone, Emily's about to discover that when you're starting a family, what you really need are your friends.Hilariously funny and excruciatingly relatable - perfect for fans of THE UNMUMSY MUM, Louise Pentland and Gill Sims.----Readers love the relatable, funny honesty of WINGING IT, giving it a 5-star recommendation:'A frank and funny look at motherhood' *****'I didn't want to put this down!' *****'From page one she had me hooked' *****'Loved, loved, loved this book' *****'It has been a long time since I laughed (and cried!) so much at a book' *****
Wings
by Julie GonzalezBen Delaney has a steadfast belief: Someday he will fly. He’ll sprout wings and really begin his life. But in all of his 17 years, there’s been no sign of any wings. Ben blames Gravity, his sworn enemy, for keeping him down. Yet if there’s one thing Ben isn’t, it’s a ground-dweller. He can feel his wings wanting out, just biding their time. But when will they be ready to emerge? And when will his older brother, parents, and friends accept his inevitable destiny? For flying is what Ben was born to do . . . and no one can persuade him otherwise.
Wings: 100 Sheets / 200 Pages, 7. 44 X 9. 69 , Winged Tiger Tattoo Inspired Design
by Ashley M. NisslerKazim loves when his grandparents visit from Egypt. But when his grandfather dies, his grandmother helps him come to terms with his grief.
Wings of Fire Book Seven: Winter Turning (Wings of Fire #7)
by Tui T. SutherlandThe New York Times and USA Today bestselling series soars to even greater heights with a new prophecy and five new dragonets ready to claim their destiny! Daring mission... or deadly mistake? Winter has been a disappointment to his royal IceWing family his whole life. When his sister, Icicle, runs away from Jade Mountain Academy, fleeing terrible crimes and possibly planning to commit more, Winter knows that they both need a second chance to make things right -- if only he can find her. Winter's new clawmates, Moon, Qibli, and Kinkajou, won't let him make this dangerous journey alone. They don't seem to understand that IceWings, the most superior of all dragon tribes, can fix their own problems. When their search leads the dragonets straight into Queen Scarlet's vicious talons, Winter is grateful to have some help. But even the bravest dragons can't follow him to the Ice Kingdom, where he'll have to face the greatest threat of all: his own family.
Wings of Fire Book Six: Moon Rising (Wings of Fire #6)
by Tui T. SutherlandThe New York Times-bestselling series soars to even greater heights with a new prophecy and five new dragonets ready to claim their destiny! Peace has come to Pyrrhia . . . for now. The war between the tribes is finally over, and now the dragonets of the prophecy have a plan for lasting peace: Jade Mountain Academy, a school that will gather dragonets from all the tribes and teach them to live together, perhaps even as friends. Moonwatcher isn't sure how she feels about school, however. Hidden in the rainforest for most of her life, the young NightWing has an awful secret. She can read minds, and even see the future. Living in a cave with dozens of other dragons is noisy, exhausting--and dangerous. In just a few days, Moon finds herself overwhelmed by her secret powers and bombarded by strange thoughts, including those of a mysterious dragon who might be a terrible enemy. And when someone starts attacking dragons within the academy, Moon has a choice to make: Stay hidden and safe? Or risk everything to save her new friends?
Wings of Glory: An amazing wartime action-adventure story for readers aged 8+ from the author of Toto the Ninja Cat (Wartime Tails)
by Dermot O’LearyCan one tiny bird help to win a world war? Wings of Glory is a funny action-adventure story with a feathery twist, from the bestselling children's author of Toto the Ninja Cat, Dermot O'Leary, with glorious illustrations throughout by Claire Powell.It's 1940, and the world is at war. Linus, a swift, has always dreamed of flying with the Royal Bird Force and making a name for himself as a squadron leader. So when he and his sister, Ava, have the opportunity to volunteer, he jumps at the chance.But it's a dangerous journey, and Ava goes missing before they manage to reach the airfield for training. Now, Linus has two missions: help the war effort and find his sister.Linus will face bomber planes, arrogant falcons, and a spy who's determined to take him down...He is brave and fast and kind - but can Linus prove that helping win the war is more about the size of your heart than the size of your wings?Featuring courageous loop-the-loops, top secret plans and more than a smattering of bird poo, this wartime tail will make you laugh and cry - and maybe teach you a thing or two as well.
Wings of Shadow: Crown Of Feathers; Heart Of Flames; Wings Of Shadow (Crown of Feathers)
by Nicki Pau PretoIn the heart-stopping finale to the Crown of Feathers trilogy, which #1 New York Times bestselling author Kendare Blake calls &“absolutely unforgettable,&” Veronyka must face her most devastating enemy yet: her own sister.I had a sister, once… Veronyka is no longer an orphaned stable boy or a nameless Phoenix Rider apprentice: she is the daughter of Pheronia Ashfire, the last queen of the Golden Empire…and the niece of Avalkyra Ashfire, the resurrected rebel queen who tore the empire apart. We shone brightly, burned fiercely. Now that the secret is out, everyone at the Eyrie treats Veronyka differently, and with Tristan still a hostage of the scheming Lord Rolan—and Sev with him as a spy—Veronyka feels very much alone. Except for her beloved phoenix, Xephyra, of course, and her new friend, Kade, who has his own reasons for wanting to save Tristan. Was it always going to come down to this? Sister against sister? Darkness against light? Veronyka is determined to do whatever it takes to get Tristan back, even if that means revealing her identity to the world and inheriting a throne she&’s not sure she wants. But when she discovers that Avalkyra has bonded with a strix—a legendary creature of darkness that feeds off the life force of others—Veronyka realizes she has more to deal with than an encroaching war with the empire. Val is willing to destroy everything to get her revenge on a world that rejected her, and if Veronyka wants to bring peace to the empire and Pyra alike, she must face down her sister once and for all. The world began with Ashfire queens…perhaps they will also be its destruction.