Book 1

The Tethered Mage

by Melissa Caruso

Published 24 October 2017

'I couldn't put it down' Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library

In the Raverran Empire, magic is scarce and those born with power are strictly controlled - taken as children and conscripted into the Falcon Army.

Zaira has lived her life on the streets to avoid this fate, hiding her mage-mark and thieving to survive. But hers is a rare and dangerous magic, one that could threaten the entire empire.

Lady Amalia Cornaro was never meant to be a Falconer. Heiress and scholar, she was born into a treacherous world of political machinations. But fate has bound the heir and the mage. And as war looms on the horizon, a single spark could turn their city into a pyre.

SET IN A RICH WORLD OF POLITICAL INTRIGUE AND DANGEROUS MAGIC, THE TETHERED MAGE IS A SPELLBINDING DEBUT FROM A MAJOR NEW TALENT.

'An enchanting voice and an original world you won't want to leave' RJ Barker, author of The Bone Ships

'I raced through this exquisite debut in three days and adored it' Fantasy Book Review

'A breathtaking book. Equal parts fantasy and political intrigue, The Tethered Mage pulls readers relentlessly through labyrinthine turns of conspiracy, adventure and romance' BookPage

Books by Melissa Caruso:

Swords and Fire
The Tethered Mage
The Defiant Heir
The Unbound Empire

Rooks and Ruin
The Obsidian Tower
The Quicksilver Court
The Ivory Tomb


Book 2

The Defiant Heir

by Melissa Caruso

Published 24 April 2018
"Across the border, the Witch Lords of Vaskandar are preparing for war. But before an invasion can begin, they must call a rare gathering of all seventeen lords to decide a course of action. Lady Amalia Cornaro knows that this Conclave might be her only chance to smother the growing flames of war, and she is ready to make any sacrifice if it means saving Raverra from destruction. Amalia and Zaira must go behind enemy lines, using every ounce of wit and cunning they have, to sway Vaskandar from war. Or else it will all come down to swords and fire. "Charming, intelligent, fast-moving, beautifully atmospheric. I couldn't put it down." - Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library "The best kind of fantasy." - Rosalyn Eves, author of Blood Rose Rebellion The Defiant Heir is the second novel in a spellbinding new fantasy series. Swords and FireThe Tethered MageThe Defiant Heir"--

Book 3

The Unbound Empire

by Melissa Caruso

Published 25 April 2019
'This is a series worth your time' The Quill to Live

'A dashing, compelling and exciting story, blending magic, assassination, conspiracy and diplomacy . . . I loved this book' Blue Book Balloon on THE DEFIANT HEIR

While winter snows keep the invading armies of the Witch Lord Ruven at bay, Lady Amalia Cornaro and the fire warlock Zaira attempt to change the fate of mages in the Serene Empire forever. But on the night of Raverra's great masquerade, Ruven executes a devastating surprise strike at the heart of the Empire - threatening everything Amalia holds most dear.

To stand a chance of defeating Ruven, Amalia and Zaira must face their worst nightmares, expose their deepest secrets and unleash Zaira's ravaging fire.

THE UNBOUND EMPIRE is the epic finale to the spellbinding tale of courtly intrigue and dangerous magic that began with THE TETHERED MAGE and THE DEFIANT HEIR.

Praise for the series:

'I couldn't put it down' Genevieve Cogman, author of THE INVISIBLE LIBRARY

'I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this series' Girls in Capes

'I raced through this exquisite debut in three days and adored it' Fantasy Book Review

'Wonderful characters and intriguing mysteries that kept me eagerly anticipating what would happen next . . . I can hardly contain my excitement for the third instalment' Fantasy Book Cafe

'Absolutely recommended' Book Smugglers