Ruinsong

Revolution, or silence?

In a world where magic is sung, a powerful mage named Cadence must choose between the two. For years, she has been forced to torture her country’s disgraced nobility at her ruthless queen’s bidding.

But when she is reunited with her childhood friend, a noblewoman with ties to the underground rebellion, she must finally make a choice: Take a stand to free their country from oppression, or follow in the queen’s footsteps and become a monster herself.

In this dark and lush LGBTQ+ romantic fantasy, two young women from rival factions must work together to reunite their country, as they wrestle with their feelings for each other.

GoodReads

Third place

Amazon

Praise for Ruinsong

“An engaging fantasy novel that will push readers to draw parallels between the narrative and contemporary events and conflicts and, hopefully, empower them to use their own voices to stand up for what they believe in.” — School Library Journal

“Ember’s prose is smooth and efficient, and her viewpoint characters are believable, compelling individuals … I read it in a single three-hour sitting, and I do look forward to seeing more of Ember’s work in future.” — Tor.com

"A lushly written, immersive fantasy tale about how monstrous we're willing to become to protect ourselves -- and how difficult it can be to learn to fight back." -- Rebecca Schaeffer, author of Not Even Bones.

“A darkly shining jewel of a story set in a fascinating new world. This queer romantic fantasy will replay itself in your mind long after you’ve finished, like an unforgettable melody.” –Sarah Glenn Marsh, author of Reign of the Fallen.

"A symphony of my favorite things: powerful girls, glittering gowns, and falling in love across a divide. Julia Ember's masterful storytelling immerses you in a world of ruthless magic and court politics. Utterly bewitching and emotionally devastating in all the best ways, Ruinsong is a queer fantasy that will captivate the heart and inspire the soul." -- C.B. Lee, author of Not Your Sidekick.

“Underground rebellions, bardic magic, and ruthless tyrannical queens make this a book you don’t want to miss.” — Hypable