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The Midnight Lie

The Midnight Lie (Book 1)

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What to expect

'Rich characterization, exquisite worldbuilding and rock-solid storytelling make this a fantasy of unusual intelligence and depth . . . Breathtaking, tragic and true' Kirkus on The Winner's Curse

Set in the world of the NYT-bestselling Winner's Trilogy, The Midnight Lie is an epic LGBTQ romantic fantasy about learning to free ourselves from the lies others tell us - and the lies we tell ourselves.

Where Nirrim lives, crime abounds, a harsh tribunal rules, and society's pleasures are reserved for the High Kith. Life in the Ward is grim and punishing. People of her low status are forbidden from sampling sweets or wearing colours. You either follow the rules, or pay a tithe and suffer the consequences.

Nirrim keeps her head down, and a dangerous secret close to her chest.

But then she encounters id, a rakish traveller from far away, who whispers rumours that the High Kith possess magic. Sid tempts Nirrim to seek that magic for herself. But to do that, Nirrim must surrender her old life. She must place her trust in this sly stranger who asks, above all, not to be trusted.

(P) 2020 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd

Critics Review

Lush, romantic, and powerful. In THE MIDNIGHT LIE, Marie Rutkoski spins a sensuous tale about awakening to the truth
Malinda Lo, author of Ash
Utterly immersive and gorgeous. Marie's stories are the loveliest knives that cut you straight to the quick
Roshani Chokshi, New York Times-bestselling author of The Gilded Wolves
Darkly enchanting . . . The Midnight Lie is unsettling and thrilling, the world intricate and purposeful.
Shelf Awareness
Lush, swoony, painful [and] enraging
Kirkus Reviews
Praise for THE WINNER'S CURSE series
'A one of a kind, BRILLIANT book . . . a bold tale on loyalty, love, family, friendship, suppression and power
Guardian
Beautifully written [and] masterfully plotted . . . A rare and special reading experience: I loved it. I want more.
Kristin Cashore, New York Times bestselling author of Graceling
Spellbinding . . . Rutkoski's richly imagined world is full of dynamic repartee, gruesome battle scenes, and shifting alliances
Publishers Weekly
Dynamic and engaging . . . I loved this novel
The YA Shelf
Faultlessly written, home to a rich cast of mesmerising characters, and possesses just the right amount of intrigue, romance and emotion to make the story one that leaves an impression. My mind is still reeling from those final few pages
Realm of Fiction
Stunning
Bustle
There is no doubt this is going to be one of the most complex and compulsively readable fantasies of the year
Buzzfeed
Excellent
Mugglenet
The mysterious connection between magic and the tithes is spun out with excellent suspense, which, along with the assured writing and wealth of fantasy invention, will keep readers avidly turning pages
Horn Book
Author Marie Rutkoski
Narrator Roisin Rankin
Series The Midnight Lie
Duration 8 hours and 47 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781529336061
Format Audiobook
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Genre Epic fantasy / heroic fantasy, Romance
Availability AU, GB, IE

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