Author: Gabi Burton

In this YA fantasy novel perfect for fans of Heartless Hunter, a girl who has always served others decides to take power for herself.

Her magic feeds on lies.
His magic could destroy her.

Mira Kyler runs the court of Virdei from the shadows. Ever since she helped her half-brother Luc cheat his way into the role of Virdei's leader, she's used her lie-powered magic to collect secrets from members of court, then used them as blackmail to keep her brother in power.

But when newcomer Kaidren Vale shows up and challenges Luc's leadership, he threatens the stability Mira has worked so hard for. Kaidren also has magic-magic that can detect the precise nature of someone else's power with a single touch. If Kaidren so much as brushes against her, everyone will discover that Mira is the one who's been manipulating the court for years.

As Kaidren and Luc compete in three deadly challenges called The Trials, Mira realizes that no matter who wins, she'll be stuck serving a mediocre man who doesn't deserve to be in charge. She's done hiding in the shadows. She wants power of her own.

To get it, she'll have to betray both her own brother and Kaidren-but the fiercer the competition gets, the more Mira realizes that the one boy who could destroy everything is the one boy she might not be able to resist.

Publisher: Macmillan Publishers (MPS)
Published: 04/07/2026
Pages: 368
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.06oz
Size: 8.25h x 5.51w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9781547617272

About the Author

Gabi Burton is the international bestselling author of Sing Me to Sleep and Drown Me with Dreams. She grew up reading and writing in St. Louis, Missouri. Now, she works as a paralegal and author. When she's not working or writing, she's probably watching Netflix, scrolling through Twitter, or finding beautiful places to walk-preferably near a body of water.
gabiburton.com
@query_queen339