A Crown of Ivy and Glass (The Middlemist Trilogy Book 1) By Claire Legrand (2023)

In a realm of enchantment and strife, Claire Legrand's "A Crown of Ivy and Glass" unveils the layered life of Lady Gemma Ashbourne. Although adorned with youth, beauty, and riches, Gemma conceals a profound melancholy beneath her dazzling exterior. Her sister, Mara, was consigned to the Middlemist for safeguarding against treacherous magic, and her mother abandoned the family, leaving Gemma in the shadow of familial discord.

Haunted by loneliness and a lack of magical prowess—unlike her Anointed family members—Gemma crosses paths with Talan d'Astier. Talan, the lone survivor of his family's self-destruction fueled by a demon's seduction, is determined to redeem their honor. A complex and enchanting alliance forms as Gemma proposes a pact: she'll guide Talan through high society in exchange for his assistance in dismantling the longstanding feud with the Bask family. The legend surrounding a demon named The Man With the Three-Eyed Crown, believed to be the source of the feud, propels them into a perilous journey.

As Gemma navigates treacherous plots and the escalating danger of the Middlemist, a profound connection with Talan emerges. Yet, a sinister force stirs within Gemma, steering her toward an all-encompassing passion that could either lead to her destruction or reveal the true extent of her latent power.

Intricately weaving together magic, romance, and political intrigue, Legrand crafts a lush, spellbinding narrative that immerses readers in Gemma's quest for love, redemption, and self-discovery against a backdrop of familial turmoil and looming darkness.

The unfolding tale promises both heart-wrenching twists and the revelation of Gemma's extraordinary strength in a world teetering on the brink of magical upheaval. 📚❤️