Not only because of the wonderful feelings that come with positive representation in mainstream media, but also because it was a genuinely good story. I was thrilled when the acceptance email came back and could not wait to start reading. I reread that at least five times, held my breath, pressed send, and waited. Immediately following that emotional outburst, I wrote to the publisher to plead my case about why I wanted a review copy. I remember the day I saw the write up for this on Edelweiss. I read the synopsis twice to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating, then I teared up a little, jumped up and down, and ran to tell my wife about it. Also, can we take a quick moment to admire the beauty of this cover art? Absolutely stunning. You guys! A fairy tale where the princess falls for the PRINCESS? I am so here for this. Forced to choose between their duty and their hearts, Mare and Denna must find a way to save their kingdoms-and each other. As the two work together, they discover there is more to one another than they thought-and soon their friendship is threatening to blossom into something more.īut with dangerous conflict brewing that makes the alliance more important than ever, acting on their feelings could be deadly. When a shocking assassination leaves the kingdom reeling, Mare and Denna reluctantly join forces to search for the culprit. To make matters worse, she must learn to ride Mynaria’s formidable warhorses before her coronation-and her teacher is the person who intimidates her most, the prickly and unconventional Princess, sister of her betrothed.

Now Denna has to learn the ways of her new kingdom while trying to hide her growing magic. She possesses an Affinity for fire-a dangerous gift for the future queen of a land where magic is forbidden. Her marriage will seal the alliance between Mynaria and her homeland, protecting her people from other hostile kingdoms. Betrothed since childhood to the prince of Mynaria, Princess Dennaleia has always known what her future holds.

Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst