The Antlered King: A Raven's Trade Novel

In this stunning conclusion to the Raven’s Trade epic fantasy duology that began with The Gilded Crown, Hellevir’s bargains with Death to save the ones she loves—including the princess she risked everything to bring back to life—may just lead to the ultimate sacrifice.

Hellevir’s gift to raise the dead once thrust her into the center of a court filled with backstabbing and treason, where she became duty bound to protect Princess Sullivain, the sole heir to the kingdom’s throne and target of many rivals eager for the crown. But the more Hellevir risked to keep Sullivain alive, and the more deeply she fell in love with the princess, the greater the cost of their necromancer romance became—for Hellevir’s power can only be granted by the strange figure who rules the afterlife, and there is always a price to pay.

Now Hellevir may have risked too much, and Sullivain has become obsessed with consolidating power through ruthless political intrigue to vanquish her foes once and for all—by whatever means necessary. Cast out to the fringes of a country on the verge of civil war, Hellevir is torn between protecting her heart or giving what little she has left to finish what she started. Yet, her connection with Sullivain runs deeper than the mortal world, and saving her friends and family might mean risking the woman she is still bound to by soul and blood.

To stop a war, Hellevir must unravel the last of Death’s riddles and decide, once and for all, who deserves to live, what a life is worth, and whether she can pay the price. This explosive finale to the Raven’s Trade duology is sure to satisfy fans of dark fantasy and queer romance.

“Fantastic series opener . . . A richly imagined beginning that shouldn’t be missed.” - Kirkus (starred review) on The Gilded Crown

“Fascinating dark fantasy . . . A study of kindness and humanity. This series is off to a promising start.” - Publishers Weekly on The Gilded Crown

"Fascinating and fantastic, The Gilded Crown is a heartwrenching exploration of the cost of power, featuring a compelling and unforgettable heroine who possesses a gift that is both wondrous and terrible. I couldn't put it down!" - Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of The Queens of Renthia series

"The Gilded Crown has the feel of an ancient fairy tale freshly told. A rich and beautiful story of two women torn between impossible loyalties, this novel lures you effortlessly into a dark river of costly magic and difficult questions, and then refuses to deliver any easy answers. I can't wait to follow Hellevir and Sullivain wherever Death decides to lead them next."   - Freya Marske, award-winning author of A Marvellous Light

"A beautiful fantasy full of quests, court intrigue, and star-crossed lovers." - Library Journal on The Gilded Crown

"First-class fantasy. . . . A compulsively readable book that raises profound and unsettling questions around power, life, death, and love." - Alison Croggon, author of The Books of Pellinor series