A sweeping, “immersive and intense” (SLJ) fantasy about legacy, betrayal, sisterhood, and politicizing emotion in the quest for powerall while a slow-burn LGBTQ romance simmers.

For centuries, the citizens of Velle have waited for their New Maiden to return. The prophecy states she will appear as the third daughter of a third daughter. When the fabled child isfinally born to Velles reigning queen all rejoice except for Elodie, the queens eldest child, who has lost her claim to the crown.The only way for Elodie to protect Velle is to retake the throne. To do so, she must debilitate the Third Daughterher youngest sister, Brianne.

Desperate, Elodie purchases a sleeping potion from Sabine, who sells sadness. But the apothecary mistakenly sends the princess away with a vial of tears instead of a harmless sleeping brew. Sabines sadness is dangerously powerful, and Brianneslips into a slumber from which she will not wake. With the fates of their families and country hanging in the balance, Sabine and Elodie hurry to revive the Third Daughter whilea slow-burning attraction between the two girls erupts in full force.

A must-read for fans of the BookTok sensationsRed Queenby Victoria Aveyard,Dance of Thievesby Mary E. Pearson, andThese Violent Delightsby Chloe Gong.