“[A] pulse-pounding romantasy debut . . . Maeve’s candid narration amplifies the tale’s emotional impact, while subtle, effective worldbuilding adds texture. Political intrigue, high-stakes action, and a steamy love triangle between white-cued characters combine for a twisty, electrifying trilogy launch.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“This trilogy opener infused with Irish lore is a fast-paced, bloody story of cruelty, fear, and the fragile power of hope. The action begins on the first page and holds strong through the end. The characters are complex, and the romantic tension is steamy . . . A sizzling, high-stakes debut launching a series that readers will greedily devour.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“The Bachelor meets Throne of Glass in this atmospheric, slow-burn romantasy . . . The story is well-paced and readers will be kept on their toes as the plot shifts between the tasks of the competition, life in the castle, and Maeve’s rebellious activities. A promising debut; hand to readers who enjoyed Lauren Roberts’s Powerless and Shelby Mahurin’s Serpent & Dove.”
—SLJ

“Canadian journalist Connolly’s debut novel, which kicks off the Martyred Isle trilogy, shows that her ability to craft a gripping narrative is just as effective in a context of potions and dragons. The action is vivid and surprisingly graphic, as is the longsimmering romance at the heart of the story. Connolly’s juxtaposition of classic fantasy tropes and seemingly modern touches (contemporary swear words and a nonbinary character) signals the arrival of a fresh new voice in the romantasy space.”
—Booklist