The Summer War

Nebula Award winner Novik (the Scholomance series) continues her skillful exploration of different fantasy subgenres in this mesmerizing, border ballad–esque novella. The war between the kingdom of Prosper and the bordering Summer Lands, home of the immortal summerlings, began 100 years ago when summerling Princess Eislaing threw herself to her death on the day of her marriage to King Sherdan of Prosper. After the cunning Grand Duke Veris finally puts an end to the fighting, he schemes to become the power behind Prosper’s throne through political marriages for at least two of his three children, but his eldest son, Argent, forsakes his family name to seek love in the Summer Lands. Twelve-year-old Celia, furious at what she considers her brother’s abandonment, accidentally curses him when she comes into her powers as a witch. Then, at 16, her magic leads the new King of Prosper to marry her off to the King of the Summerlands, and Celia must rely on the brother she cursed as well as their middle brother, Roric, whom she and Argent both ignored, for any hope of escape. Novik’s fans will be pleased by the canny twists and turns of the plot, as well as the sweet queer romance between Argent and the Summer Prince at its center. This surprisingly tender paean to love of all kinds is a treat. (Sept.)