Jude has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her, and made herself the power brhind the throne. Navigating the constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be difficult enough if Cardan were biddable. But he does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her.

When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complivated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a faerie world.

From author Holly Black comes an enchanting and bloodthirsty sequel to the New York Times bestselling novel The Cruel Prince.