Full of court intrigue, queer romance, and terrifying monstersâthis âdeliciously funâ (Sangu Mandanna, author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches) epic fantasy appeals to fans of Samantha Shannonâs The Priory of the Orange Tree and the adult animated series Castlevania.
Remy Pendergast is many things: the only son of the Duke of Valenbonne (though his father might wish otherwise), an elite bounty hunter of rogue vampires, and an outcast among his fellow Reapers. His mother was the subject of gossip even before she eloped with a vampire, giving rise to the rumors that Remy is half-vampire himself. Though the kingdom of Aluria barely tolerates him, Remyâs father has been shaping him into a weapon to fight for the kingdom at any cost.
When a terrifying new breed of vampire is sighted outside of the city, Remy prepares to investigate alone. But then he encounters the shockingly warmhearted vampire heiress Xiaodan Song and her infuriatingly arrogant fiancĂŠ, vampire lord Zidan Malekh, who may hold the key to defeating the creaturesâthough he knows associating with them wonât do his reputation any favors. When heâs offered a spot alongside them to find the truth about the mutating virus Rot thatâs plaguing the kingdom, Remy faces a choice.
Itâs one heâs certain heâll regret.
But as the three face dangerous hardships during their journey, Remy develops fond and complicated feelings for the couple. He begins to question what he holds true about vampires, as well as the story behind his own family legacy. As the Rot continues to spread across the kingdom, Remy must decide where his loyalties lie: with his father and the kingdom heâs been trained all his life to defend or the vampires who might just be the death of him.