Literary Titan Medal WinnerReaders' Favorite Medal WinnerNext Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist"Epic Fantasy and Woman's Fiction combine to create… the best new book of 2023." - Reedsy DiscoveryAssassinations spark chaos. Revolutions smolder. War looms. 1901 Vespa Academy of Sciences stands at the crossroads of myth, magic, and modernity. This international school seeks to end every war, but deadly rivalries, buried secrets, and ancient powers threaten to start a global war that could end it all. A single school year could change everything.Amid it all, five unlikely women find their lives intertwined. A brilliant Dwarven prodigy grappling with family secrets. A reckless Selkie chasing a scandal. A tormented Elf hiding apocalyptic truths. A cursed Fae princess uncovering a conspiracy. A skeptical Succubus heir confronting deep deceit.Only one can bind them together: Esmeralda, a young Duchessa desperate to save her collapsing country. As unexpected alliances form and shadowy enemies close in, they must confront the growing threats together. Soon, Esmeralda will rule nations. Who will be by her side when she saves the world?Experience a fantastical alternative history, where humans and their rivals co-exist in a tense peace that reaches the edge of war. This journey will end in the history books.

"Lyrical, philosophical, empathetic... perfect for fans of Usman Malik and Gautam Bhatia."In the city of Sirvassa, where petals are currency and flowers are magic, the Caretaker tends to the Garden of Delights. He imparts temporary magical abilities to the citizens of Sirvassa, while battling a curse of eternal old age. No Delight could uplift his curse, and so he must seek out a mythical figure. A god.When a Delight allows a young girl an ability to change reality, the Caretaker believes he’s at the end of his search. But soon a magical rot takes root in his Garden, and the Caretaker must join forces with the girl and stop it from spreading. Even as he battles a different rot that plagues Sirvassa, he learns that Delights are always a precursor to Sorrows.FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing Independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress.