Princess Hesina of Yan has always been eager to shirk the responsibilities of the crown, dreaming of an unremarkable life. But when her beloved father is found dead, she’s thrust into power, suddenly the queen of a surprisingly unstable kingdom. What’s more, Hesina believes that her father was murdered—and that the killer is someone close to her.

Hesina’s court is packed full of dissemblers and deceivers eager to use the king’s death for political gain, each as plausibly guilty as the next. Her advisers would like her to blame the neighboring kingdom of Kendi’a, whose ruler has been mustering for war. Determined to find her father’s actual killer, Hesina does something desperate: she enlists the aid of a soothsayer—a treasonous act, punishable by death, since magic was outlawed centuries ago.

Using the information provided by the sooth, and uncertain if she can trust her family, Hesina turns to Akira—a brilliant investigator who’s also a convicted criminal with secrets of his own. With the future of Yan at stake, can Hesina find justice for her father? Or will the cost be too high?

A young queen-to-be must navigate the high-stakes world of political intrigue, treachery, and murder in this magical debut that is the complex, smart YA fantasy novel I have been dreaming of. A heroine who thinks for herself! Flawed characters! Exciting plot twists! Not to mention exciting courtroom drama in a fantasy book. And it’s a stand-alone novel, which means no waiting to find out what happens next.

When the King of Yan dies, his daughter Princess Hesina discovers evidence that shows it was murder, not natural causes, like the court physician claims. But with no one backing her accusation except her siblings, Hesina must pay a visit to a soothsayer (secret, because the sooth are banned in Yan, and Hesina could lose her life just for seeking their help). But Hesina is so desperate to avenge her father and find his killer, she’ll do anything.

Get ready for hair-tingling twists and turns! In a kingdom where the king has already been murdered, can Hesina really trust anyone—including her own family? Spoiler: Probably not. This book thrilled me, it entertained me, and it moved me, which is everything I could ask of a book. I know you’ll love it too! (Pro tip: For another amazing YA novel that has to do with cranes, be sure to add The Astonishing Color of After to your box!)