The Floating Castle by L. N. Holmes

“5 stars, no notes.” —Millie Abecassis, author of DAUGHTERS OF THE BLUE MOON and A LEGACY OF BLOOD AND BONE “Holmes’ fantasy novel churns with warring empires and palace intrigue. The novel boasts strong worldbuilding in the rich ceremonial details of Toguan’s court and the earthy rituals of the Gildacrest witches…” —Kirkus Reviews In a world where demons control the supply of magic and dragons are both feared and sentient, three women combine forces to oppose an evil prince and escape his floating castle. She wants to control him. He wants to kill her. To secure her position as the emperor’s favorite daughter, Princess Fu Liling sails across a monster-infested sea to marry and subdue Elias of House Zartisval, crown prince of a rival kingdom. When she meets Elias, however, he unexpectedly refuses to marry her. At risk of being cut off from the imperial family, Liling tries to force the wedding, only to discover that Elias is a murderer and she is his disposable hostage. Liling resolves to expose this betrayal to her father and plots an escape, relying on a reluctant guard and a rebel witch to aid in her flight. Elias, who’d rather see them all dead than free, gives chase. The ensuing battle may cause the Floating Castle to literally fall, and Liling must decide: surrender and die to keep the peace or dishonor her father in exchange for her own life and liberty. The repercussions of her choice will ripple across a continent.

Adult • Fantasy • Fantasy/Court Intrigue • Fantasy/Epic and High • Fantasy/Dark

Content Warning: violence, abuse, injury, death