Packed with love, magic, and deadly games of courtly intrigue and treason, book one of Robin LaFevers's fast-paced trilogy set in 15th-century France combines romance with captivating action. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros. Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf? Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others. Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart? Enemies to Lovers: Ismae’s mission is simple: kill her target. But when Gavriel Duval, a nobleman with secrets of his own, captures her heart, her sacred duty becomes an impossible choice. Political Intrigue: In the treacherous high court of 15th-century Brittany, Ismae must navigate a deadly game of treason and shifting alliances where a single mistake could cost her life—and the future of the duchy. Found Family: Escaping a brutal past, Ismae finds an unlikely home in the convent of St. Mortain. Alongside her fellow novices, Annith and Sybella, she discovers a sisterhood forged in shadows and bound by deadly purpose. Hidden Powers: Born with a dark immunity and the ability to see the faint marks of death, Ismae learns to hone her terrifying gifts. But her sacred powers will be tested when her heart and her duty collide.
