The Hanged Man

Edwards skillfully blends rigorous characterization with political intrigue, action, and haunting worldbuilding in the exciting follow-up to 2018's The Last Sun. The remnants of the Atlantean peoples have settled on the island formerly known as Nantucket after a devastating war with humanity. Rune St. John, reluctant heir to the Sun Throne, a fallen noble house, must protect his ward, Max, when the vicious Hanged Man attempts to claim him in marriage. Breaking Max from the Hanged Man's claim will require complex political maneuvering and magical battles. In the process, Rune and his allies--including Brandon St. John, who is linked to Rune by a magic bond, and Rune's boyfriend, Addam--discover the true depths of the Hanged Man's perversions. To survive the conflict, Rune must embrace the true power of his family legacy. Edwards conjures a believably dangerous setting filled with tarot imagery and supernatural menaces. The strength of the story rests in the characters' emotional bonds; Rune's bromance with Brandon is just as strong as his romance with Addam. Series fans and new readers alike will be hooked. Agent: Sara Megibow, KT Literary. (Dec)