The Heir and the Spare

A supporting character in Woods’s bestselling Of Flesh and Bone series takes center stage in this whirlwind romantasy (after What Sleeps Within the Cove). A map, glossary, and character list at the start help reorient readers to this dark, medievalesque world, where “human women are subservient to their male counterparts.” Against this backdrop, series heroine Estrella’s best friend, Fallon, is forced into marriage with a stranger by her mother, Mab, the evil queen of the fae Shadow Court. Her husband is Etan, the new king of the Summer Court, where Mab’s brother once reigned. Mab believes the marriage politically expedient, unaware that Etan has his own reasons for wanting the match, including his desire to protect his court and his undeniable attraction to Fallon. For her part, Fallon is reluctant to marry and leave her people behind, but when Mab’s violence escalates, she must flee to safety with Etan. During their tumultuous travels, feelings blossom on both sides. Woods proves her series is capable of expanding beyond the narrow focus of Estrella and Caldris. Fans will be excited to learn more about Fallon and watch her enemies-to-lovers romance play out. (Feb.)