★ 01/02/2023
This stunning fantasy from Whitten (For the Wolf) opens 500 years after Godsfall, when death goddess Nyxara died and all other gods followed, leaving Apollius, god of life, as the singular deity worshipped in Auverraine. The city of Dellaire sits atop Nyxara’s corpse, and a force known as Mortem, “the essence of death, the power born of entropy,” seeps from her body into the city. Those who have had near-death experiences can sense and channel this power, leading people to use poison like a drug to get close enough to death that they too can experience Mortem. Dellaire local Lore, 23, can’t quite remember the first 13 years of her life. All she knows is that she has the ability to channel Mortem, a power she puts to use spying for her adoptive poison-runner mothers. When a job goes wrong, Lore is caught and brought before Priest Exalted Anton Arceneaux and the Sainted King August Arceneaux, who give her a choice: die, or spy on the Sun Prince Bastian to find out why entire towns have been dying off. This task puts Lore in the orbit of both Bastian and Presque Mort Gabriel, both of whom feel oddly familiar. Romance is less central to this outing than in Whitten’s previous works, but there are still plenty of swoony moments to please fans. Meanwhile the fascinating magic system and ever-present danger keep the pages flying. Readers won’t want to miss this. Agent: Whitney Ross, Irene Goodman Literary. (Mar.)
01/01/2023
Mortem is the magic of death, left behind by the Buried Goddess Nyxara. Lore has spent her life keeping her use of it hidden, but during one of her poison runs, her secret is revealed. Expecting a death sentence, she instead is taken by the Presque Mort, monks who are sanctioned to use Mortem for the Sainted King. Conscripted by King August to discover why village residents are dying and uncover a traitor close to the throne, Lore navigates the court—politics, religion, and treachery all wrapped in glitter and opulence—along with her growing relationships with her Presque Mort guard Gabriel and the impudent Sun Prince, Bastian. As the truths of the power plays are revealed, no one will escape with their secrets. Romantic tension, an interesting magic system, and detailed worldbuilding create a fast-paced novel in a new world. While the protagonists are a little older, this can still be a good young adult crossover read. VERDICT Whitten's (For the Throne) new novel showcases her witty dialogue and captivating prose. Romantic fantasy fans will enjoy this and await the next in the series.—Kristi Chadwick
2023-01-25
A young woman who wields dark magic, a monk of death, and the crown prince find their fates are somehow entwined.
Lore works as a poison runner with her mothers, their city laced with the death magic known as Mortem after the demise of the Goddess now buried in the catacombs beneath their feet. But Lore is different from her mothers; she has a stronger connection to Mortem than anyone she knows—strong enough to raise the dead—and her powers cannot stay hidden forever. Eventually she attracts the attention of the Presque Mort, a group of monks whose brushes with death have left them able to channel Mortem, though none can match Lore’s abilities. After having Lore snatched up, the Priest Exalted, head of the Presque Mort and twin brother to the Sainted King, pairs Lore with the solemn Gabriel and instructs them to discover how and why whole villages are mysteriously dying—even if it means bringing one of the dead villagers back to life. And the two have another mission, a direct order from the King: They must infiltrate the Court of the Citadel and ingratiate themselves with the King’s son, the prince Bastian, who may be passing intelligence to their enemies. Lore trusts neither king nor priest but has no choice but to comply; she soon finds herself juggling the schemes of the Presque Mort, the King, Bastian, and more. Amid glittering gowns and late-night balls, Lore and Gabriel—and Bastian as well—grapple with their pasts and their beliefs as forces both human and divine gather around them. With a system of dark magic; instant chemistry and tension among Lore, Gabriel, and Bastian; and revelations that bring to light new questions, this is an intriguing beginning to a series that effortlessly balances character development with plot and atmosphere.
A perfect blend of shadowy gods, forbidden romance, and political court drama.
"Hannah Whitten is my favorite obsession, and her new series is all I can think about. I'm obsessed with The Foxglove King—a perfect concoction of intrigue, magic, thwarted love, and writing as delicate and deeply affecting as the petals of a poisonous plant."—Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author
"The Foxglove King is beautifully written, lushly cinematic, unsettlingly mysterious—an unputdownable story of humans and gods. Hannah Whitten has built a world that is as dark as it is fascinating, romantic and disturbing. If you like found families, courtly intrigue, high-stake secrets, hot priests, powerful characters who are on a journey to accepting themselves and learning to wield their powers, and a dash (okay, more than that) of necromancy, The Foxglove King will be the book of your dreams—and your nightmares."—Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis
"I am OBSESSED with this book! Hannah Whitten just keeps getting better and better."—Katee Robert, New York Times bestselling author
"The Foxglove King is a decadent and deadly feast of a novel, brimming with romance, intrigue, and twisted magic. Whitten's sumptuous prose and layered, captivating characters sucked me in immediately and kept me riveted until the last page. I have no doubt that readers will devour this book with the same enthusiasm I did." —C. L. Herman, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of All of Us Villains
"The Foxglove King is a delicious fantasy. Sinister, deadly, and so seductive you won't be able to tear yourself away from this dark gem of a book." —Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of Once Upon A Broken Heart
"Darkly sumptuous and beautifully dangerous, The Foxglove King wraps you up in a velvet gown and then holds a knife to your throat."—Ava Reid, bestselling author of The Wolf and the Woodsman
"Dripping with dark opulence and sizzling intrigue, The Foxglove King proves Hannah Whitten is a literary force to be reckoned with. Never before have I been so completely captivated." —Erin A. Craig, New York Times bestselling author of House of Salt and Sorrows
“Set in a glittering world of twisted magic and fallen gods, The Foxglove King boasts an intoxicating combination of mystery, magic and romance, twined with impeccable tension and characters I instantly became obsessed with. I could not put it down."—H. M. Long, author of Hall of Smoke
"Stunning...The fascinating magic system and ever-present danger keep the pages flying. Readers won’t want to miss this."—Publishers Weekly
"A perfect blend of shadowy gods, forbidden romance, and political court drama."—Kirkus
"Full of courtly intrigue, smart characters and will-they-won’t-they romance, The Foxglove King is a heady concoction that will satiate anyone looking for an absorbing new fantasy world."—BookPage
"Romantic tension, an interesting magic system, and detailed worldbuilding create a fast-paced novel in a new world... Whitten’s new novel showcases her witty dialogue and captivating prose. Romantic fantasy fans will enjoy this and await the next in the series."—Library Journal
"By the time you reach The Foxglove King’s thrilling final pages, you’ll be desperate to see where the story goes next—and a likely full convert to the Hannah Whitten Fan Club. This is, without doubt, destined to be named one of the best fantasies of the year."—Paste Magazine
Emily Ellet narrates this first installment of the Nightside Crown series. Lore is a necromancer living on the edges of society in a world filled with death magic. When it becomes clear that the king has need of her talents, she is taken prisoner and thrust into court life. In the custody of Gabriel, a monk whose life is dedicated to the study of death magic, Lore is put to work spying on the heir to the crown, Bastian. Ellet's portrayal of Lore is masterful. She captures Lore's sardonic humor as she spars with Gabriel and Bastian, trying to figure out their true intentions. Ellet is also adept at narrating male voices. The interactions between Lore, Bastian, and Gabriel have depth and intensity. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Emily Ellet narrates this first installment of the Nightside Crown series. Lore is a necromancer living on the edges of society in a world filled with death magic. When it becomes clear that the king has need of her talents, she is taken prisoner and thrust into court life. In the custody of Gabriel, a monk whose life is dedicated to the study of death magic, Lore is put to work spying on the heir to the crown, Bastian. Ellet's portrayal of Lore is masterful. She captures Lore's sardonic humor as she spars with Gabriel and Bastian, trying to figure out their true intentions. Ellet is also adept at narrating male voices. The interactions between Lore, Bastian, and Gabriel have depth and intensity. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
