The Hidden Queen
The second book in The Nightfall Saga, the stunning new epic fantasy series set in the world of The Demon Cycle, from New York Times bestselling author Peter V. Brett
Humanity thought the war with demonkind was over. Now, after humanity has had less than a generation to rebuild, the demon corelings have returned with a vengeance. The Spear of Ala—the fortress that stands at the gates of the demon’s hive—is the last bastion against the horde, and reports say it may already have fallen.
Olive Paper is expected to take the vanguard in the fight. Only an heir of Kaji can wield the artifact that opens the gates of the Spear of Ala, and as Ahmann Jardir’s child, Olive seems destined for a role as leader and savior. But Olive does not wish to follow in her father’s footsteps any more than she did her mother’s.
Darin Bales was born with supernatural senses that he struggles to process, but even those who love him believe he can barely take care of himself. Yet to save his mother from the clutches of Alagai Ka, the demon king, Darin will brave anything to mount a rescue.
Darin and Olive each strive to walk their own path but find themselves inextricably tied to the legacies of their parents and to a fated confrontation with the demon king and his new hatchling queen. If they fail, humanity may not survive.
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Peter V. Brett
Peter V. Brett is a storyteller whose world-building prowess and unique take on dark fantasy have earned him a dedicated fanbase. Best known for his Demon Cycle series, Brett transports readers into a terrifying and vivid world where humanity fights for survival against creatures of nightmare—demons that rise every night to prey on the living. His approach to fantasy is far from traditional, blending deeply personal character arcs with pulse-pounding action, all while exploring themes of survival, fear, and hope in a world that’s anything but kind.
Nightfall Saga
In the Nightfall Saga, Peter V. Brett crafts a haunting and immersive world where the boundaries between light and darkness are more than just metaphorical—they’re a matter of survival. The saga weaves together vivid world-building, complex characters, and an underlying sense of creeping dread as humanity is pitted against an existential threat that rises with each setting sun.
Nightfall Saga consists of three books — considered a complete series. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Main series The Demon Cycle Universe

