An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors

A genius princess, her loyal musketeer, and a deadly game of glamour and lies in a stunning fantasy debut.An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors is Curtis Craddock's delightful and engrossing fantasy debut. Princess Isabelle des Zephyrs was born with a precocious intellect, a physical disability, and no magical talent. Underestimated by her family and kingdom, her only true confidant is Jean-Claude, the fatherly musketeer who has guarded her since birth.But everything changes when Isabelle receives a surprising marriage proposal from the second son of a dying king in an empire collapsing into civil war. The last two women betrothed to this prince were murdered, and a sorcerer-assassin is determined to make Isabelle the third victim. Isabelle and Jean-Claude must navigate a dangerous maze of prophecy, intrigue, and betrayal, where glamour masks the truth and lies are currency. Step by perilous step, Isabelle must unravel the deceptions of her enemies and discover a truth more dangerous than any lie."A setting fabulous and strange, heroes to cheer for, villains to detest, a twisty, tricky plot — I love this novel!" —Lawrence Watt Evans"A thrilling adventure full of palace intrigue, mysterious ancient mechanisms, and aerial sailing ships!" —David D. LevineAt the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.