The Kinder Poison

The gods have woken Sabil s knife, signaling their desire for this contest, and the promise of unmatched power for the heir who would win it. As it did for the Mestrahs of old, this knife grants an ability to a new leader above and beyond the magic they already possess: the divine gift of Influence, the power to bend the will of enemies and allies alike. That said, the Mestrah would remind anyone who would desire this magic for themselves that though the knife has been reunited with its altar, it is heavily guarded, and its spell will only work for those of royal blood. The announcer casts a purposeful look across the crowd, who snicker and whisper. But this power is not free. She waits for the muttering to quiet. Representing the many difficult decisions a ruler must make, taking a human life is a seal between gods and leader. A promise to do whatever is commanded, and to realize that with each gain is a cost. She turns to me, sweeping a dramatic hand at the stairs. Our sacrifice.

Reverent silence falls over the crowd. I m not given a name. I m a symbol, and I know they think I was chosen for this, but it s eerie to see them look at me with such blind conviction. I can t help but feel it was too easy to fool them.

Go on, whispers the woman in pink.

Like I m being too shy in marching to my death. Gods, everyone is watching. Do I go like I ve accepted this? Do I run? I don t think I d get far in the crowd. The nobles won t risk disobeying the Mestrah to help me, if there s even anyone here who would. I can t go back the way I came. My guard will drag me screaming down the stairs or mark me to walk against my will. I can t stomach the thought of either.

And I really can t believe that yesterday, I was watching a glass boat come down the river and dreaming of being here.

Breathe, I tell myself. This isn t over yet. Jet may have failed epically as my rescuer, and Hen may have finally met a challenge she can t overcome, but

Natalie Mae is an ex-programmer, dark chocolate enthusiast, and author of young adult novels. She has also been a freelance editor and a Pitch Wars mentor, and she feels it notable to mention she once held a job where she had to feed spiders. When not writing, she can be found wandering the Colorado wilderness with her family. Find her on Twitter and Instagram @ByNatalieMae, and online at nataliemaebooks.com.

 "Mae has crafted a fascinating world with a unique magic structure that is wholly believable because of the vibrant characters within it. With characters to love, to hate, and to love to hate, plus a plot full of adventure skillfully woven with suspense, this is a must-purchase for all YA collections."  School Library Journal, starred review

 "Zahru s unexpectedly humorous inner voice, the rich worldbuilding full of political intrigue, a slow-burning romance, and a fantastic set of well-developed characters (both friends and foes) mark this exciting and refreshing tale of power and accountability. A funny, rewarding story for fans of optimistic tales with a bite."  Kirkus, starred review

The Kinder Poison delivers a deadly dose of danger and ancient magic in a cleverly penned fantasy, perfect for fans of An Ember in the Ashes or Three Dark Crowns. Like a coiled snake, it s full of wicked surprises. Colleen Oakes, bestselling author of the Queen of Hearts series

The Kinder Poison is a heartfelt, magical tale that swept me away like a desert storm. Brenda Drake, New York Times bestselling author of Thief of Lies

A captivating tale of duty versus dreams, woven through with a unique system of magic and a push-pull romance that will have you demanding the sequel. Magically seductive! Lori Goldstein, author of Screen Queens and Becoming Jinn

The best fantasy I ve read in years. The Kinder Poison will grip you from the very first page and refuse to let go, sweeping you into an unforgettable adventure and leaving you breathless. Get ready for your newest obsession. Chelsea Bobulski, author of Remember Me

"Zahru is a witty, engaging narrator whose supernatural skills might be lacking but whose ability to throw out some epic one-linezingers is well honed and highly satisfying. The heirs are surprisingly nuanced as three once-loving siblings pitted against