Long Live Evil, Time of Iron Book 1 BY Sarah Rees Brennan

In Sarah Rees Brennan's adult epic fantasy debut, readers are thrust into the heart of villainy with a story that’s both "brilliant" (Holly Black) and "supremely satisfying" (Leigh Bardugo). Rae, whose life has crumbled, finds solace in her favorite fantasy novels. When she’s offered a magical bargain that allows her to enter the world of her beloved series, she seizes the chance for a new life.

Rae awakens in a castle precariously perched on the edge of a hellish chasm, within a kingdom teetering on the brink of war. This world is filled with dangerous monsters, scheming courtiers, and the Once and Forever Emperor—her favorite fictional character. However, Rae soon discovers she’s not the heroine but the villainess in the Emperor’s story.

Embracing her role, Rae revels in the villainous life she’s been granted. She gathers a colorful array of antagonists, including an axe-wielding maid, a brooding knight, a homicidal bodyguard, and a charming yet scandalous spymaster. Together, they plot to defy their doomed fates and alter the narrative of their story.

As Rae and her ragtag band of villains face rising peril and the Emperor’s wrath, they must navigate a treacherous path filled with betrayal and danger. The stakes are high, and with every page, the tension mounts—will Rae and her allies survive long enough to rewrite their destiny, or will they fall victim to the very tale they seek to change?