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“Clever, emotional, and gorgeous—at its core, this is a story about the healing capacity of love.”—Ava Reid, author of Juniper & Thorn
Lorelei Kaskel, a folklorist with a quick temper and an even quicker wit, is on an expedition with six eccentric nobles in search of a fabled spring. The magical spring promises untold power, which the king wants to harness in order to secure his reign over the embattled country of Brunnestaad. Lorelei is determined to use this opportunity to prove herself and make her wildest, most impossible dream come true: to become a naturalist, able to travel freely to lands she’s only read about.
The expedition gets off to a harrowing start when its leader—Lorelei’s beloved mentor—is murdered in her quarters aboard their ship. The suspects are the five remaining expedition mates, each with their own motive. The only person Lorelei knows must be innocent is her longtime academic rival, the insufferably gallant and maddeningly beautiful Sylvia von Wolff. Now in charge of the expedition, Lorelei must find the spring before the murderer strikes again—and a coup begins in earnest.
But there are other dangers lurking in the dark: forests that rearrange themselves at night, rivers with slumbering dragons hiding beneath the water, and shapeshifting beasts out for blood.
As Lorelei and Sylvia grudgingly work together to uncover the truth—and resist their growing feelings for each other—they discover that their leader had secrets of her own. Secrets that make Lorelei question whether justice is worth pursuing, and if this kingdom is worth saving at all.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
September 17, 2024 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780593823705
- File size: 351982 KB
- Duration: 12:13:17
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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July 8, 2024
Bestselling YA author Saft (A Fragile Enchantment) ventures into adult fantasy with this elaborate whirlwind of folklore, magic, and sapphic romance. Twenty-something academic rivals Lorelei Kaskel and Sylvia von Wolff join a seven-person expedition under the order of King Wilhelm of Brunnestaad, who commands them to find the Ursprung, a spring fabled to be the source of all magic. Unfortunately, their expedition leader is killed their first night on the road, and the only suspects are the remaining six expedition members. Saft’s intricate worldbuilding melds elements of Jewish tradition and folklore, fairy tales, and classic fantasy tropes, creating a steep learning curve and making it easy to get lost in the unfamiliar names of people, places, and creatures. Still, patient readers will find the important information shines through, even if the precise details are confusing. Meanwhile, the enemies-to-lovers arc between the heroines delivers a classic interplay of infuriating kindness and endearing irritability, with a long buildup and a worthwhile payoff. Fans of queer fantasy will find something to enjoy here. -
Saskia Maarleveld brings the haunting realm of this dark sapphic academic novel to life with an evocative performance. She captures the fierce intellect of Lorelai, a magical folklorist who is determined to get to the bottom of her mentor's mysterious death. As she investigates, romantic tension develops between her and her enemy turned reluctant ally, Sylvia von Wolff. The tension ramps up on both sides as the former rivals uncover higher-reaching secrets than either suspected. Maarleveld adjusts her pacing to the intricate plot, making it gripping during moments of high tension without glossing over the romantic scenes. The overall experience is atmospheric. This is an excellent listen to curl up with on a chilly autumn evening. C.J.C. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
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