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A DRAGONBIRD IN THE FERN
When an assassin kills Princess Jiara’s older sister Scilla, her vengeful ghost is doomed to walk their city of glittering canals, tormenting loved ones until the murderer is brought to justice. While the entire kingdom mourns, Scilla’s betrothed arrives and requests that seventeen-year-old Jiara take her sister’s place as his bride to confirm the alliance between their countries.
Marrying the young king intended for her sister and traveling to his distant home is distressing enough, but with dyslexia and years of scholarly struggles, Jiara abandoned any hope of learning other languages long ago. She’s terrified of life in a foreign land where she’ll be unable to communicate.
Then Jiara discovers evidence that her sister’s assassin comes from the king’s own country. If she marries the king, Jiara can hunt the murderer and release her family from Scilla’s ghost, whose thirst for blood mounts every day. To save her family, Jiara must find her sister’s killer . . . before he murders her too.
Cover Design: Sarah Taplin
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AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
2022 IPPY GOLD MEDALIST in YA Fantasy, Independent Publisher Book Awards
Finalist in the 2022 SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards
PRAISE FOR
A DRAGONBIRD IN THE FERN
"A riveting tale with a meticulously thought-out world. With a heartwarming romance, gripping family dynamics, and well-paced action, A Dragonbird in the Fern is a fantasy that is sure to please."
-Elizabeth Lim, New York Times bestselling author of Spin the Dawn and So This is Love
★ "A powerful story of love, vengeance, and learning to trust yourself, this is a must purchase."
-School Library Journal (starred review)
"An intoxicating blend of fairytale and ghost story, of romance and sisterhood, A Dragonbird in the Fern is a breath of fresh air with clever worldbuilding and a compelling mystery. Don't miss this one!"
-Sarah Glenn Marsh, author of the Reign of the Fallen series
"An enthralling fantasy novel that will appeal to young adult and adult readers alike...captivating from cover to cover."
-Midwest Book Review
"An enchanting and magical exploration of language, culture, and embracing one's shortcomings. You'll be rooting for this heroine from page one."
-Dana Swift, author of Cast in Firelight
"Offers dazzling settings and swoonworthy romantic moments, using Jiara's emotional and literal journeys to hammer home the twin messages of acceptance and accommodation for different cultures, sexual orientations, and faiths."
-Kirkus Reviews
"A beautifully crafted fantasy with stellar worldbuilding and evocative writing . . . unique and incredibly creepy. Highly recommended for fans of YA fantasy!"
-Nicole Lesperance, author of The Wide Starlight
IN THE MEDIA
Feminist YA and MG Debuts of 2021: 14 Authors Share their POV—Frolic
21 YA Novels with Disabled and Chronically Ill Characters—Buzzfeed News
Princesses Can Have Dyslexia Too—Teen Librarian Toolbox