Sweet & Bitter Magic

In this gorgeous standalone fantasy with a “sweet sapphic romance” (Booklist), a young musician sets out to expose her rival for illegal use of magic only to discover the deception goes deeper than she could have imagined—perfect for fans of An Enchantment of Ravens!<BR><BR>Music runs in Sofi’s blood. <BR> <BR>Her father is a Musik, one of only five musicians in the country licensed to compose and perform original songs. In the kingdom of Aell, where winter is endless and magic is accessible to all, there are strict anti-magic laws ensuring music remains the last untouched art. <BR> <BR>Sofi has spent her entire life training to inherit her father’s title. But on the day of the auditions, she is presented with unexpected competition in the form of Lara, a girl who has never before played the lute. Yet somehow, to Sofi’s horror, Lara puts on a performance that thoroughly enchants the judges. <BR> <BR>Almost like magic. <BR> <BR>The same day Lara wins the title of Musik, Sofi’s father dies, and a grieving Sofi sets out to prove Lara is using illegal magic in her performances. But the more time she spends with Lara, the more Sofi begins to doubt everything she knows about her family, her music, and the girl she thought was her enemy. <BR> <BR>As Sofi works to reclaim her rightful place as a Musik, she is forced to face the dark secrets of her past and the magic she was trained to avoid—all while trying not to fall for the girl who stole her future.

A prophecy poisoned. A queendom at stake. A magic vial of tears holds their fates.A sweeping fantasy about betrayal, sisterhood, and deadly quests for power, with a stunning, slow-burn sapphic romance.For centuries, the citizens of Velle have waited for their New Maiden to return. The prophecy states she will appear as the third daughter of a third daughter. When the fabled child is finally born to Velle's reigning queen all rejoice except for Elodie, the queen's eldest child, who has lost her claim to the crown.The only way for Elodie to protect Velle is to retake the throne. To do so, she must debilitate the Third Daughter - her youngest sister, Brianne. Desperate, Elodie purchases a sleeping potion from Sabine, who sells sadness. But the apothecary mistakenly sends the princess away with a vial of tears instead of a harmless sleeping brew. Sabine's sadness is dangerously powerful, and Brianne slips into a slumber from which she will not wake.With the fates of their families and country hanging in the balance, Sabine and Elodie hurry to revive the Third Daughter while a slow-burning attraction between the two girls erupts in full force.PRAISE FOR ADRIENNE TOOLEY'Majestically dark' Morgan Rhodes'Would recommend this book so hard' NetGalley Reviewer, *****'Emotionally gripping and devastating' Leslie Vedder'I don't think I'll ever come out of an Adrienne Tooley book feeling anything other than awed and emotionally vulnerable' NetGalley Reviewer, *****'Subtly vicious and achingly tender' Allison Saft

'Romance and intrigue simmer, and betrayals abound' ALLISON SAFT<BR>'Emotionally gripping and devastating' LESLIE VEDDER<BR><BR>The second instalment in this fantasy duology is here. An intense and spirited tale ripe with magic, betrayal and plenty of twists and turns.<BR><BR>The centuries-old prophecy has been fulfilled at last: the New Maiden has returned to Velle. Unfortunately, so has a malicious demi-god, whose elusive prophet is intent on converting the New Maiden's followers. The Second Son is a vengeful, angry deity, whose psalm resonates with the disenfranchised.<BR><BR>With Elodie on the throne and Sabine in her own unique position of power, it should be easy enough to track down the culprit. Yet even as they're falling in love, both girls are keeping dangerous secrets from each other. While the cult of the Second Son threatens to overthrow not only the Church of the New Maiden but also Velle's monarchy, Elodie and Sabine must navigate impossible odds to dismantle the root of his power, all while their lives hang in the balance.<BR><BR>A must-read for fans of the BookTok sensations Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, Night of the Witch by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis, and These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong.<BR><BR>TROPES<BR>Sapphic romance ¿¿¿ <BR>Slow-burn ¿¿¿¿<BR>Sisterhood ¿<BR>Political intrigue ¿¿<BR><BR>READERS LOVE THE SECOND SON<BR>'This is such a powerful series' ¿¿¿¿¿<BR>'The world-building in this duology was great' ¿¿¿¿¿<BR>'This is such a beautifully written story' ¿¿¿¿¿<BR>'There was never a dull moment' ¿¿¿¿¿<BR>'This book was everything I wanted and so, so much more' ¿¿¿¿¿