I Killed the King
-
- $10.99
Publisher Description
One of Us Is Lying meets Knives Out—with beasts, murder, and magic—in this first book in a thrilling locked-room whodunnit YA fantasy duology by Andrea Hannah and New York Times bestseller Rebecca Mix.
After a decade of war, the kingdoms of Avendell and Istellia have finally agreed to peace. As nobles and magic wielders from both countries arrive at remote Castle Avendell for a historic all-night masquerade to celebrate, King Costis summons an unlikely group to his chambers: the crown prince, his Istellian bride-to-be, his personal guard, a wild beast tamer, and the palace’s questionable new healer. But before Costis can reveal why he has gathered them, the castle goes dark.
When the lights come back, the king is dead—murdered with the princess’s knife, in a weak spot only his guard knew of, and with venom from one of the beast tamer’s monsters lacing the blade.
With no clear killer—and everyone a suspect—they make a risky pact: Tell no one until the treaty is signed. But when a winter storm seals everyone inside and someone aware of the king's untimely death begins to pick off guests one by one, the six suspects must work together to discover who killed the king . . . before one of them is next.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Mix (The Ones We Burn) and Hannah (The Wildest Things) highlight themes of loyalty and friendship in a twisty locked-room mystery about magic and warring nations. Before signing a treaty to end the 10-year conflict between kingdoms Avendell and Istellia, King Costis of Avendell is murdered in his private chambers. Now the suspects—necromancer Ellion, mercenary Vesryn, beast tamer Clove, kingsguard Oak, and heir apparent Prince Kellam from Avendell, as well as his betrothed, Istellian princess Melarie—must keep the king's death secret and uncover the killer's identity or risk further conflict and upending the nations' tentative peace. As secrets about each person are revealed, more bodies pile up. And when the group, seeking answers, pierce the veil between the living and dead, they uncover long-forgotten bargains whose debts have yet to be settled. Across alternating POVs that additionally shift between past and present timelines, the authors deliver a tightly wound, fast-paced whodunit ripe with red herrings, talking animals, and vengeful spirits. Richly drawn mythology adds intrigue, and tenderly developed queer characters and relationships inject heart into this tense duology opener. Major characters cue as white. Ages 13–up. Agents: (for Mix) Pete Knapp and Stuti Telidevara, Park, Fine & Brower.
