A Curse of Roses

In 1288, 17-year-old Princess Yzabel of Aragon bears a terrible curse: whenever she tries to eat, the food turns into flowers, leaving her unable to consume a bite. Her kingdom, meanwhile, suffers from famine and pestilence that leave her people as starved as she is. En route to meet a whistleblower about a missing harvest, without the knowledge of her controlling fiancé, 19-year-old King Denis of Portugal, Yzabel learns of the Enchanted Moura, a legendary being who may be able to break the curse. Yet Fatyan, the Moura, is herself trapped in magical bindings, from which she can only be freed by a kiss. Yzabel needs Fatyan to help her reverse the curse; in exchange, Fatyan will help end the famine by teaching Yzabel how to turn flowers into food. The “sacrilegious kiss,” however, awakens a desire that complicates her plans to save her people, and may even mean her own downfall due to Portugal’s religious observances. Pinguicha’s debut takes place against this unique historical backdrop, flavored with beguiling fantasy elements and a sensitive exploration of the implications of desire upon religion. Though limited descriptions hamper immersion, a delicate queer romance between strong heroines propels the plot forward. Ages 14–up. Agent: Travis Pennington, Knight Agency. [em](Dec.) [/em]