An epic and unforgettable fantasy adventure from a phenomenal new voice, QUEEN OF FACES is like nothing you’ve ever read before.
Anabelle is trapped in a boy’s body, and in a year, it will kill her.
In the nation of Caimor, the wealthy buy and trade bodies like clothes. But Ana can only afford a grey, damaged male form, and by her seventeenth birthday, it’s already falling apart. As her extraordinary magical ability grows, but her body continues to fail her, she is left with only one choice: become an assassin for Paragon Academy, Caimor's prestigious school of magic.
But rebellion brews in Caimor, and at its helm is Khaiovhe, the most infamous dark mage in history. As Ana steals, fights and kills for Paragon, and forms a tentative alliance – and maybe more – with the elusive Wes, she discovers secrets that transform her concept of hero and villain … while striving, above all, to become her truest self. And that might just be the most powerful thing of all.
A page-turning blockbuster, full of heart-pounding action, inventive magic, cinematic plot twists and emotional gut-punches: the perfect must-have new read for fans of SIX OF CROWS, THE ATLAS SIX and BABEL.
Review
‘A work of wild imagination, this is an outstanding debut. An original and epic fantasy world with magic that feels entirely real’ Juno Dawson, Sunday Times bestselling author of Her Majesty’s Royal Coven
‘A hugely ambitious, wholly riveting 14+ fantasy debut’ The Guardian
‘Unputdownable and utterly unique – a spectacular, mesmerising debut and a breath of fresh air in the fantasy space. Petra Lord has crafted a world that is brutal and brilliant in equal measure. Her writing is incredible – and the plot twists had me gasping! I’ll be thinking about this book for a long time and recommending it to everyone’ Katherine Webber, author of Twin Crowns
‘My new obsession! Queen of Faces delivered everything I’ve ever wanted from an epic fantasy world and so much more: high stakes adventure, a fascinating magic system, twists, turns and layered political scheming – and a cast of characters who hold my entire heart in their hands’ Bea Fitzgerald, author of Girl, Goddess, Queen
‘A twisty, dark academia fantasy full of heart, with rich worldbuilding and a heroine whom you want to succeed in every way. I was hooked from the very first page and didn’t put it down until the very last’ Marie Lu, New York Times bestselling author of Skyhunter
‘The ruthless, remarkable world you’ve been waiting for. Queen of Faces is enthralling in its magic and ensnaring with its unique take. Nothing is as it seems, and the deft subversion strikes true each time’ Chloe Gong, New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights
‘A unique, mesmerising fantasy with a heroine to root for – the twists and turns will have you racing through the pages. Epic in every way’ Rachel Greenlaw, author of Compass and Blade
‘Queen of Faces sweeps you into a world of magic, corruption, and gender-expansive chaos – totally gripping and overflowing with delicious angst’ Alice Oseman, author of Heartstopper
‘This new exciting fantasy absolutely soars and proves Petra to be a new force in the genre’ Cosmopolitan
About the Author
Petra Lord is a biracial trans author. She has a BFA in TV Writing from New York University, which she uses to recommend TV shows to her parents and predict the endings of movies. She's currently based in Los Angeles, where she feeds her dual addictions to hot pot and Korean barbecue and sustains herself with videos of her cat. Queen of Faces is her debut novel.
