What Monstrous Gods by Rosamund Hodge

In this gripping stand-alone fantasy, inspired by Sleeping Beauty, Lia is born with a sacred mission: to end the enchantment laid by the heretic sorcerer, Ruven, and awaken Runakhia's slumbering royals. But success brings unexpected challenges—marrying into the royal family or facing death. Complicating matters, Ruven's vengeful spirit haunts Lia's every step.

Sent on a perilous pilgrimage to rekindle the kingdom's dormant gods, Lia and her betrothed, Prince Araunn, uncover dark truths. The clash between old and new powers threatens Runakhia's fragile peace. Lia discovers unexpected kinship with Araunn, blurring lines between duty and desire.

As Lia grapples with her beliefs and moral compass, tensions escalate. She confronts the stark choice between tradition and truth, duty and justice. And in a shocking revelation, Lia confronts the consequences of a past she can't escape—a choice between her betrothed prince and the boy she once killed.

In a world where gods and sorcery collide, Lia's journey unfolds with gripping suspense and intricate twists. Bound by destiny yet torn by conflicting loyalties, Lia's choices reverberate through the fate of kingdoms. With Ruven's specter looming and the gods' awakening fraught with peril, Lia must navigate treacherous waters to secure her people's future—and her own salvation. Fans of lush fantasy worlds and intricate plots will be captivated by this spellbinding tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption.