The Night King's Court - by Elisa A Bonnin (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Caraval meets Flowerheart in this rich and immersive cozy fantasy, where dazzling magic, lush descriptions, and a sweet sapphic romance cast an irresistible spell.

Ida's father went missing without a trace seven years ago, last seen at the court of the enigmatic Night King, which comes to life only after dark with magic and revelry.

So when a position opens up for a new court Luminaire, Ida doesn't hesitate. She inherited her gift for enchantments from her father--and with this position, she'll use it to find him again.

Ida is swept into the king's collection of magical beings, those who bring light and entertainment to the Court's midnight gatherings--and swept away by the Court, where faerie gardens edge into underwater masquerades, dreaming revels offer blissful escapes, and life is a mesmerizing euphoria.

Yet a sinister thread interrupts Ida's nights of decadence. Memories go missing, the castle's magic takes on a malevolence, and Ida can't seem to leave the boundaries of the court itself.

Enlisting the help of the king's breathtakingly beautiful daughter Lenore, Ida must unravel the castle's secrets... before this enchanted world destroys her.

Review Quotes

Praise for Elisa Bonnin: "Careful attention to character, colonialist history, and explorations of how magic interacts with neurodiversity and gender identity bring welcome complexity to a familiar outsider-goes-to-magic-school premise, making this a truly thoughtful, engaging reflection on the dark academia genre." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

"A strong entry point into dark academia fantasy, recommended for all libraries serving YA readers."
-- School Library Journal (starred review)

"Dark and thrilling, yet lovely and endearing."
-- Kirkus Reviews

"Lovely Dark and Deep effortlessly combines fantasy with dark academia to create a wildly imaginative and suspenseful tale. Elisa A. Bonnin's gorgeous prose propels a well-rounded cast of endearing characters through a heart-pounding magical adventure while fearlessly tackling themes of diaspora, neurodiversity, and institutional bias . . . As they say in mine and the author's native language: Padayon!"
-- Thea Guanzon, New York Times and international bestselling author of The Hurricane Wars

"An epic fantasy mixed with heart-pounding action and a touch of romance, Dauntless will ensnare readers until the very last page. Elisa A. Bonnin's rich world building and gorgeous prose will leave you tearing through chapters. The rich magic, thrilling action and jolting twists will leave you craving more!"
-- Aiden Thomas, New York Times-bestselling author of Cemetery Boys and Lost in the Never Woods