A Crown of Ivy and Glass - (The Middlemist Trilogy) by Claire Legrand

About the Book

"Every year on St. Walpurga's Eve, Caldella's Witch Queen lures a boy back to her palace. An innocent life to be sacrificed on the full moon to keep the island city from sinking. Lina Kirk is convinced her brother is going to be taken this year. To save him, she enlists the help of the mysterious Thomas Lin, the boy she secretly loves, and the only person to ever escape from the palace. Working together they save her brother, but they draw the queen's attention, and Thomas is then chosen as the sacrifice. Queen Eva casted away her heart when her sister died to save the boy she loved. Now as queen, she won't make the same mistake. With the tide rising higher than ever before and the islanders whispering that Eva's magic is failing, she's willing to sacrifice anyone if it means saving herself and her city. When Lina offers herself in exchange for Thomas's freedom, the two girls await the full moon together. Against their will, they find themselves falling for each other. As water floods Caldella's streets and the dark tide demands its sacrifice, they must choose whom to save"--

Book Synopsis

"Full of high stakes and detailed fantasy worldbuilding with interesting mythology for readers." --Library Journal

New York Times bestselling author of Furyborn, Claire Legrand, makes her stunning adult debut with A Crown of Ivy and Glass, a lush, sweeping, steamy forbidden romance series starter that's perfect for fans of Bridgerton and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Lady Gemma Ashbourne seemingly has it all. She's young, gorgeous, and rich. Her family was Anointed by the gods, blessed with incredible abilities. But underneath her glittering façade, Gemma is deeply sad. Years ago, her sister Mara was taken to the Middlemist to guard against treacherous magic. Her mother abandoned the family. Her father and eldest sister, Farrin--embroiled in a deadly blood feud with the mysterious Bask family--often forget Gemma exists.

Worst of all, Gemma is the only Ashbourne to possess no magic. Instead, her body fights it like poison. Constantly ill, aching with loneliness, Gemma craves love and yearns to belong.

Then she meets the devastatingly handsome Talan d'Astier. His family destroyed themselves, seduced by a demon, and Talan, the only survivor, is determined to redeem their honor. Intrigued and enchanted, Gemma proposes a bargain: She'll help Talan navigate high society if he helps her destroy the Basks. According to popular legend, a demon called The Man With the Three-Eyed Crown is behind the families' blood feud--slay the demon, end the feud.

But attacks on the Middlemist are increasing. The plot against the Basks quickly spirals out of control. And something immense and terrifying is awakening in Gemma, drawing her inexorably toward Talan and an all-consuming passion that could destroy her--or show her the true strength of her power at last.

Review Quotes

"Spellbinding... Luscious descriptions bring the story alive." -- Associated Press

"Legrand is a polished painter of word pictures. Luscious descriptions bring the story alive, making it immersive and fun even when it's uncomfortable or excruciating." -- The Post and Courier

"[A Crown of Ivy and Glass] is full of high stakes for her characters and detailed fantasy worldbuilding with interesting mythology for readers." -- Library Journal