Description

The sensational fantasy novel acclaimed by BookTok readers everywhere! Fans of captivating dark tales like Uprooted and For the Wolf will adore this lush gothic fantasy, following one young woman’s struggle to embrace the dangerous monster within herself, in a world where darker threats linger just beyond sight.

Elspeth Spindle needs a monster—unfortunately, that monster may very well lie within her own mind. Living in a mist-shrouded, unsettling kingdom, Elspeth knows survival takes more than luck. To stay safe, she relies on an ancient, unpredictable spirit she calls the Nightmare, a dark entity trapped inside her head who offers protection and keeps her deeply held secrets. But magic always comes at a high price.

When Elspeth encounters a mysterious highwayman along the shadowy forest roads, her life is irreversibly changed. Drawn into a perilous quest with this enigmatic figure, she discovers he is not only the King’s nephew and Captain of the infamous Destriers, but guilty of high treason. Together, they must collect twelve mystical cards known as the Providence Cards before the Solstice—artifacts vital to freeing their land from a dangerous infestation of dark magic.

As Elspeth faces intensifying dangers and an irresistible attraction towards her complicated companion, she must ultimately confront the frightening truth. The Nightmare is growing ever stronger, slowly overtaking her mind—and she may be powerless to stop him.