American Royals meets The Winner's Curse in the first book of a dazzling alternate history duology from New York Times bestselling author Brittany Cavallaro about revolution, love, and friendship in a reimagined American monarchy.
The year is 1893, and war is brewing in the First American Kingdom. But Claire Emerson, a strong female protagonist with a dangerous secret, has a bigger problem. Claire's father is a sought-after inventor, but he believes his genius is a gift granted to him by his daughter's touch-a special power that keeps Claire under his control.
As their province prepares for war, Claire plans to escape. But she's drawn into a web of political intrigue when her best friend, Beatrix, tries to convince her to stay and help with the growing resistance movement that wants to see a woman on the throne.
When her father's weapon fails to fire on the World's Fair's opening day, Claire is taken captive by Governor Remy Duchamp, St. Cloud's young, untried ruler. Remy believes that Claire's touch bestows graces he's never had, and in this tense YA historical fantasy, political rivals planning his demise might make Claire his only ally.
The last thing that Claire has ever wanted is to be someone else's muse, but she finally has a choice: Will she quietly remake her world from the shadows-or bring it down in flames?
- Forced Proximity: Taken captive by the handsome and infuriating Governor Remy Duchamp, Claire must survive being the prisoner of a man who believes she is his key to power.
- Enemies to Lovers: He needs her as an ally, and she just wants to escape. But in the close confines of the governor's mansion, the tension between them is more dangerous than any political rival.
- A Unique Magic System: In a world of political maneuvering and budding revolution, Claire's strange ability to grant genius and grace with a touch makes her the most powerful and hunted person in the kingdom.
- Rich Alternate History: Explore a reimagined 1893 America, where monarchies rule, the World's Fair is the center of political intrigue, and a secret resistance fights to change the future of the kingdom.
