Bright and Broken Things - by Ryan Graudin (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A young scholar learns he may be the key to uncovering an ancient Egyptian artifact coveted by a powerful cabal of magicians in this enchanting novel set among the glittering parties and Egyptology craze of 1920s London.

Ezra Bright has returned to London after serving in World War I but, like many surviving soldiers, he's haunted--by the horrors of the front lines, the loss of his adoptive brother and the strange magic flickering at the edge of his vision. Desperate to outrun his past, Ezra falls into a dazzling new world of socialites known for their elaborate costume parties and sprawling scavenger hunts.

But these Bright Young Things are hungry. And none more than Celia, a disgraced heiress, who warns Ezra that these parties are only a glittering façade for a secret society of magicians. For centuries, the Order, at the behest of its mysterious leader, has plundered magical relics. Their ultimate prize lies buried in Egypt, and unlocking it requires ancient magic--one Celia believes Ezra alone possesses.

When a note in his room is mistaken for the opening clue of a scavenger hunt, Ezra and his friends are launched into high stakes race across Egypt. As secrets are unearthed and the dead refuse to stay buried, Ezra must confront the truth of his heritage--and the full cost of his power--before the Order claims it first.

Review Quotes

"Another knockout historical fantasy from Ryan Graudin!" --Mackenzi Lee, author of Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue

"The Mummy meets Great Gatsby in this page-turner that blends magic and history where the sparkling Jazz Age hides a dark secret." --Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of Night of the Witch

"Ancient secrets and dangerous magic drive a perilous treasure hunt in Bright and Broken Things, where both desire and deception haunt Graudin's richly drawn characters. Sweeping, seductive, and unforgettable." --Lyra Selene, author of A Feather So Black

"Graudin is the rarest kind of storyteller. A propulsive poet and an uncanny wordsmith, to wander in Graudin's imagination is to ascend to another plane entirely." --Roshani Chokshi, author of The Last Tale of the Flower Bride

"A thrilling adventure of tangled secrets, gilded facades, and a desperate race against the abuses of magic by men who will never be satisfied. Bright and Broken Things is exhilarating and immersive."--Susan J. Morris, author of Strange Beasts

"A glittering historical fantasy! Immersive, exciting, and insightful, Bright and Broken Things is a sparkling and sharp adventure." --Rowenna Miller, author of The Dancer and the Dream Thief

"Ryan Graudin's Bright and Broken Things delivers the high-stakes tension of a thriller wrapped in the rich, atmospheric silk of historical fiction. Engrossing and cinematic, this is a must read." --Kathleen Kaufman, author of The Entirely True Story of the Fantastical Mesmerist Nora Grey

About the Author

Ryan Graudin is the award-winning author of ten novels, including the Carnegie nominated Wolf By Wolf duology, Invictus, The Walled City and the World Between Blinks series. She resides near Charleston, South Carolina with her husband and two daughters. You can find her online at www.ryangraudin.com.