A devastating and pulse-pounding tale that will feel all-too-relevant in today's world based
on a true story from Korean history. Hope is dangerous. Love is deadly. 1506 Joseon. The
people suffer under the cruel reign of the tyrant King Yeonsan powerless to stop him from
commandeering their land for his recreational use banning and burning books and kidnapping
and horrifically abusing women and girls as his personal playthings. Seventeen-year-old Iseul
has lived a sheltered privileged life despite the kingdom's turmoil. When her older sister
Suyeon becomes the king's latest prey Iseul leaves the relative safety of her village
traveling through forbidden territory to reach the capital in hopes of stealing her sister
back. But she soon discovers the king's power is absolute and to challenge his rule is to
court certain death. Prince Daehyun has lived his whole life in the terrifying shadow of his
despicable half-brother the king. Forced to watch King Yeonsan flaunt his predation through
executions and rampant abuse of the common folk Daehyun aches to find a way to dethrone his
half-brother once and for all. When staging a coup failure is fatal and he'll need help to
pull it off-but there's no way to know who he can trust. When Iseul's and Daehyun's fates
collide their contempt for each other is transcended only by their mutual hate for the king.
Armed with Iseul's family connections and Daehyun's royal access they reluctantly join forces
to launch the riskiest gamble the kingdom has ever seen: Save her sister. Free the people.
Destroy a tyrant. ' June Hur reigns supreme in making the past come alive.' CHLOE GONG '
Gripping and devastating.' ANN LIANG 'There were literally moments in this book where I
forgot to breathe.' ELLEN OH
