The Nightblood Prince (The Nightblood Prince #1)

In this beguiling series launch from Chang (To Gaze upon Wicked Gods), two princes from warring kingdoms and one prophesied empress grapple with destiny in an intricately described alternate ancient China. After Lifeng Fei is born on an auspicious night bearing the mythical phoenix’s mark, the enigmatic Stargazer foretells that she will unite the divided continent. She is raised alongside her betrothed, Crown Prince Siwang, in the palace of Rong. But even with all the riches she could ever want and a devoted fiancé, lonely Fei longs to forge her own path. She is simultaneously plagued by nightmarish visions that compel her to challenge fate. After seizing an opportunity to break her betrothal and flee the palace, Fei encounters beautiful and dangerous Lan Yexue, the runaway prince of Rong’s rival kingdom, the Empire of Lan, who harbors a dangerous secret—he possesses vampiric powers that could alter the course of the coming war. Moreover, Yexue’s arrival reveals a new, darker side of Siwang that leaves Fei torn. Evenly paced prose and swoonworthy relationship dynamics explore themes of gender roles and fate, culminating in an exciting new take on supernatural romantasy. Ages 14–up. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary. (July)