The Queen Underneath

This dark fantasy debut from Stacey Filak challenges the idea that all protagonists must be heroes by following characters who do everything your mother told you not to do.

The Above and the Under have a tenuous truce that is shattered after the death of both their respective rulers. Gemma, the new queen of Under, must throw history aside and team up with Tollan, the heir to the Above throne, in order to take down a power that seeks to rule them all.

Their group of rebels is comprised of an assassin, a sex worker, and a palace servant from Above, and we follow their unique perspectives as they are forced to question previously held beliefs. But even with war looming, romance still grows. Challenging gender roles and the expectation that every prince must have a princess, Tollan discovers love with Elam — a young man, a sex worker, and one of Gemma’s closest friends.

The way in which The Queen Underneath spins love, intrigue, action, magic, and incredible world building will make this a go-to for fans of V.E. Schwab.