Newt's Emerald: A Regency Romantasy

Romance crackles in magical Regency London in this dazzling tale of a stolen jewel, the heroine determined to retrieve it, and a high-handed-but-attractive stranger who is not what he seems. From New York Times bestseller Garth Nix, praised as “one of the greatest living fantasy writers” by bestselling author Sarah J. Maas!

It’s her eighteenth birthday, and Lady Truthful Newington—nicknamed “Newt”—is dreaming of her debut in London, where the streets are filled with eligible young men and magic. Coming of age, she is also to inherit the Newington Emerald, a dazzling gem of mysterious power, last worn by her late mother.

When the Emerald is stolen in a magic-infused storm, Truthful will do anything to recover it—even disguise herself as a man and ally with the handsome-but-insufferable Major Harnett, who professes to despise womankind and harbors secrets of his own. The two are quickly swept into a perilous adventure, filled with sinister fey and shocking reveals, and in which grand balls and witty banter mix with daring escapes and deadly curses—for they discover the Emerald is at the heart of a nefarious plot that threatens everyone from Truthful, herself, to the Prince Regent! And as Truthful and Harnett battle enemies of the realm, each realizes there is more to the other than meets the eye: despite mutual disdain and mortal danger, could they actually be falling in love?

In Newt’s Emerald, the bestselling author of Sabriel, Garth Nix, shares his own love for the Regency romantasy genre in a charmed world where everyone has something to hide.

• Regency Romance with a Magical Twist: Grand balls, glittering society, and eligible young men are complicated by sinister fey, deadly curses, and a nefarious plot that threatens the Prince Regent himself.
• A Daring Heroine in Disguise: To recover her family's stolen magical emerald, Lady Truthful Newington must trade her ballgowns for breeches and navigate London's high society as a young man.
• Enemies to Lovers: She's determined to retrieve the jewel. He's a handsome, insufferable Major who professes to despise womankind. Their alliance is one of necessity... for now.
• A Charmed World of Secrets: From the bestselling author of Sabriel comes a delightful standalone fantasy set in a magical London where fey walk the streets and everyone has something to hide.

On her eighteenth birthday, Lady Truthful, nicknamed "Newt," will inherit her family's treasure: the Newington Emerald. A dazzling heart-shaped gem, the Emerald also bestows its wearer with magical powers.

When the Emerald disappears one stormy night, Newt sets off to recover it. Her plan entails dressing up as a man, mustache included, as no well-bred young lady should be seen out and about on her own. While in disguise, Newt encounters the handsome but shrewd Major Harnett, who volunteers to help find the missing Emerald under the assumption that she is a man. Once she and her unsuspecting ally are caught up in a dangerous adventure that includes an evil sorceress, Newt realizes that something else is afoot: the beating of her heart.

In Newt's Emerald, the bestselling author of Sabriel, Garth Nix, takes a waggish approach to the forever popular Regency romance and presents a charmed world where everyone has something to hide.

“Part comedy of manners, part fantasy adventure, this lighthearted romp is ridiculous fun.” - Booklist (starred review)

“It’s clear that this was as much a pleasure for Nix to write as it is for readers to read, and there’s reveling in arcane language that will delight wannabe Austen-esque teens. Hand this to fans of period Masterpiece Theater sagas.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Nix sets the standard for fantasy.” - Leigh Bardugo, New York Times bestselling author of The Shadow and Bone trilogy

“[Nix is] one of the greatest living fantasy writers.” - Sarah J. Maas, New York Times bestselling author of A Court of Thorns and Roses

“This romance should please the author’s regular readers and Georgette Heyer fans alike.” - Publishers Weekly

“A delightful romp with dastardly plots and romantic confusions that would do Jane Austen proud. Fans of the author and of fantasy or Regency romance will enjoy this tale immensely." - School Library Journal

“A Regency romance with magic. Charming; quite, quite charming.” - Gail Carriger, New York Times bestselling author

“Entertaining.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Austen fans will be drawn to the familiar era and strong, stubborn heroine, and the touch of magic. ” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)