Roa's life is bound by two things: her connection to her twin sister, Essie, who became a hawk upon her accidental death, and her commitment to bettering the lives of her people, long bled dry by a cruel king living half a continent away. In exchange for a throne, and betraying her first love, she marries the seemingly worthless son of that tyrant and helps take the crown. The revolution is over, but nothing has changed. One simple act, cutting out her new husband's heart, could both revive her sister and bring forth the power to make change. As she considers her options, she must factor in another rebellion and the stirrings of love. A companion to The Last Namsara (2017), this engaging tale of love and adventure similarly uses flashbacks and myths to punctuate the main plotline, allowing Ciccarelli to expertly withhold or reveal information as she chooses. This is a fantasy reminiscent of Emma Orczy's The Scarlet Pimpernel, although this features much less political tension and all the romantic push and pull.--Cindy Welch Copyright 2019 Booklist