Sidonie, heir to the throne, and Imriel, son of a traitor, have confessed their dangerous union. But their love has caused political uproar: Imriel's infamous mother plunged Terre d'Ange into a bloody war and her crimes will not be lightly forgiven. If the couple weds, Sidonie will be disinherited. A union will only be permitted if Imriel finds the mother he has never known and returns her to Court for execution. But newer evils take precedence when a visiting diplomat casts a dark enchantment over the d'Angeline Court. The sorcerer returns home with Sidonie in his thrall, and falsely-won pledges of support in a foreign war. Imriel must evade bewitched friends and work with erstwhile enemies to rescue Sidonie and pull the country back from the brink of conflict. And no one but him remembers their forbidden romance.

Review

*Starred Review* Imriel and Sidonie, the dauphine of Terre d’Ange, have been in love for some time and finally admit it publicly in the court of Queen Ysandre. The people are in an uproar and divided in support for the lovers; far too many recall the treasonous betrayals of Imriel’s mother that ignited a long, bloody war and claimed the lives of thousands of d’Angelines. Ysandre will not acknowledge the affair, and if the couple marries without her blessing, Sidonie will lose her claim to the throne. Imriel knows that only an impossible act of faith on his part will satisfy the demands of Blessed Elua, the queen, and the people of the realm. For love of Sidonie and country, then, he pledges to find his mother and bring her back to execution. But there are foreigners who command powerful dark magic and want Sidonie and the throne themselves. On Longest Night, they loose that magic, plunging the d’Angelines into forgetfulness and insanity. Imriel must come to himself to rescue Sidonie from the invader and prevent the country from destroying itself. Carey has wowed us throughout the second Kushiel trilogy, which this book sensationally concludes, leaving faithful readers feeling both deliciously sated and hungry for more from her. --Paula Luedtke, Booklist

Author Biography

Jacqueline Carey's writing hobby became a career, inspired by six months spent in London working at a bookstore. She has degrees in psychology and English literature.