A complex but intriguing start to this planned duology. Miller’s gritty, lightning-paced debut features a rough-and-tumble yet movingly vulnerable protagonist: Sal is uncompromising in their convictions, and doesn’t hesitate to kill when necessary but wishes to be more than just a weapon of vengeance. The competition offers the opportunity to get close to some of the names on Sal’s kill list, but matters are complicated when Sal falls for tutor Elise de Farone. The other assassins-Ruby, Amethyst, and Emerald-won’t accept anything but the best, the competitors can try to kill each other at almost any time, and they’ll be tested mightily in the many ways of dealing death. When Sal discovers that the queen is holding auditions for a new Opal (one of four private assassins/guards), Sal decides to compete, but it won’t be easy. (Feb.Sallot “Sal” Leon, a genderfluid highway thief, has spent 10 years vowing revenge against the nobles who allowed shadows born of magic to kill their family and slaughter their people. LGBTQ representation-including gay, trans, and nonbinary characters (Annette identifies as asexual biromantic)-further widens this tale’s appeal.

Miller ( Ruin of Stars) writes in lush, dense prose that can require a careful read, but her protagonists’ awareness of privilege and desire to challenge the status quo shines through. Their homeland, Demeine, is on the brink of war with a neighboring land as its king seeks to distract the populace from growing unrest surrounding the systematic exploitation of lesser magical talents, known as hacks, who take the brunt of magic for privileged clients, and both young women are pulled into the escalating conflict. At Emilie’s urging, each girl takes the other’s place.

Common-born Annette Boucher wants to escape her domineering parents and master the less physically costly “midnight arts” of illusions, divination, and scrying, normally reserved for those who can afford the expensive education. Belle Rvolte comes out on February 4th, 2020 from Sourcebooks Pre-order Here: Amazon B&N Indiebound Book Depository Books-A-Million Linsey Miller grew up in Arkansas and has previously worked as a crime lab intern, neuroscience (undergrad) lab assistant, and pharmacy technician. Noble-born Emilie des Marais, 16, wants to become a physician, a role usually forbidden women of her class because of the corruptive toll the magical “noonday arts” exact. In this provocative fantasy, two young women tackle themes of power, privilege, and politics when they switch identities to pursue their dreams.

Belle revolte linsey miller