From the New York Times bestselling author of the Falling Kingdoms series comes the first book in a brand-new duology about forbidden magic and dangerous secrets, for readers of Victoria Aveyard and Margaret Rogerson.
Josslyn Drake knows only three things about magic: it’s rare, illegal, and always deadly.
So when she’s caught up in a robbery gone wrong at the Queen’s Gala and infected by a dangerous piece of magic–one that allows her to step into the memories of an infamously evil warlock–she finds herself living her worst nightmare. Joss needs the magic removed before it corrupts her soul and kills her. But in Ironport, the cost of doing magic is death, and seeking help might mean scheduling her own execution. There’s nobody she can trust.
Nobody, that is, except wanted criminal Jericho Nox, who offers her a deal: his help extracting the magic in exchange for the magic itself. And though she’s not thrilled to be working with a thief, especially one as infuriating (and infuriatingly handsome) as Jericho, Joss is desperate enough to accept.
But Jericho is nothing like Joss expects. The closer she grows to Jericho and the more she sees of the world outside her pampered life in the city, the more Joss begins to question the beliefs she’s always taken for granted–beliefs about right and wrong, about power and magic, and even about herself.
In an empire built on lies, the truth may be her greatest weapon.
Editorial Reviews
12/06/2021
Rhodes’s (the Falling Kingdoms series) fast-paced fantasy duology starter opens in the Regarian Empire, whose monarch is fighting to eradicate “every last trace of magic” from the land. Seventeen-year-old socialite Josslyn Drake, who cues as white, supports this goal since her father–former prime minister of the empire’s capital–was assassinated a year previously by a rebel warlock. When Josslyn attends a Queen’s Gala, unexpectedly encountering dark-haired, dark-eyed thief Jericho Nox, his botched attempt to steal a magical artifact inadvertently releases illegal magic into Josslyn. Forced to ally by their mutual objective of removing the magic slowly poisoning Josslyn from within, the pair is locked into a race against time, en route uncovering political secrets about the empire. Tracing Josslyn’s evolution from deeply unlikable socialite to thoughtful protagonist, the rapid-paced plot features an intriguing romance, fueled by generous doses of amusingly antagonistic dialogue. Though the landscape–a fusion of modern technology, pseudo-historical high society, and magic–can feel haphazardly built, a straightforward and compelling first-person prose style ensures narrative cohesion. Ages 12-up. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Jan.)
– Publishers Weekly
*01/01/2022
Gr 8 Up–Seventeen-year-old Josslyn Drake aims to maintain her glamorous social media presence, sport the best clothing, and continue to impress the queen. On the one-year anniversary of her father’s assassination, she surprises everyone by attending the Queen’s Gala. At the event, she is exposed to a piece of stolen art that places the magic memories of the darkest warlock, whom she believes killed her father, within her. While on a lavish shopping spree with her best friend, the handsome thief she encountered at the Gala kidnaps her, hoping to rid her of the magic and contain it for his boss. The two embark on an adventure, where they grow closer together despite the dark history between them. The worldbuilding will appeal to teenagers, as themes of acceptance among social media peer groups and desire to please adults permeate the text. Readers will enjoy the sarcastic tone and flirtatious banter between Joss and Jericho. Unexpected twists and turns coupled with an exciting plot keep this longer novel moving quickly. Deep character development coupled with the crafting of complex, interesting relationships will keep readers yearning for more at the end of the text. VERDICT This must-read book will convert readers who avoid fantasy titles and should be available in libraries for leisure reading.–Angie Jameson
– School Library Journal
2021-10-13
A glam teen girl, a hardened criminal boy, and the forbidden magic that will either save or destroy them.
In the Empire of Regara everybody knows that magic is the source of all evil, and its users are punished by death. So when 17-year-old socialite Josslyn Drake comes into contact with a box that accidentally contaminates her with a type of dark magic that allows her to access the memories of the empire’s most infamous and dangerous warlock (the very one who killed her father), she will do everything to keep this fact a secret until she can have the magic removed from her body before it corrupts her soul. Temporarily allying herself with 19-year-old Jericho Nox, a dangerous (but gorgeous) blackguard who has his own secrets, is just the first step in a journey that turns into a roller coaster of magic, politics, and dark secrets. The first in a duology, this fun adventure fantasy is full of twists and genuinely entertaining, if slightly rushed. Josslyn’s snarky voice is engaging and funny, and the story effectively shows her character growth from mostly self-absorbed to someone who makes hard choices after learning unthinkable truths. The witty banter and the enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Josslyn and Jericho are undeniably charming. Most characters are White.
Magic, romance, and politics combine in an oh-so-fun, fast-paced fantasy. (Fantasy. 14-18)
– Kirkus Reviews
* “Unexpected twists and turns coupled with an exciting plot keep this novel moving quickly. Deep character development coupled with the crafting of complex, interesting relationships will keep readers yearning for more.” -School Library Journal, starred review
“The witty banter and the enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Josslyn and Jericho are undeniably charming. Magic, romance, and politics combine in an oh-so-fun, fast-paced fantasy.” -Kirkus Reviews
“Rhodes creates complex and nuanced main characters. Excellent pacing keeps the pages turning, and readers will likely want to return for the sequel.” -BCCB
“The rapid-paced plot features an intriguing romance, fueled by generous doses of amusingly antagonistic dialogue…[and] a straightforward and compelling first-person prose style.” -Publisher’s Weekly
“Morgan Rhodes is back with another heart-pounding fantasy adventure that delivers all you’ve come to love and expect from her: dark magic, witty dialogue, plus a feisty heroine and a dangerous bad boy you cannot help but root for.” –Nicki Pau Preto, author of the Crown of Feathers trilogy
“Echoes and Empires draws you in from page one with forbidden magic, an irrepressible heroine bent on discovering the truth, and a motley collection of characters who will keep you guessing. I need the sequel immediately!” -Elly Blake, New York Times bestselling author of Frostblood
– From the Publisher
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