Age range 14 to 17

Comtesse Emilie Marchand is more at home holding scalpels than knitting needles and is desperate to escape her noble roots and serve her country as a physician. But society dictates a lady cannot perform such gruesome work.

Annette Boucher, first-born daughter and least-loved child, wants more for her life, desperate to be trained so her magic can reach its full potential. So when a strange noble girl offers Annette the chance of a lifetime, she accepts.

Emilie and Annette swap lives - Annette attends finishing school to become a lady and trained in the ways of divination, while Emilie enrolls to be a surgeon, using her natural magical talent to save lives.

But when their nation is the aggressor in a frivolous war, Emilie and Annette must work together to help the rebellion end a war that is based on lies.

‘A realistically diverse fantasy world…Hand to any lover of magic, rebellion, secrets, and self-discovery.’ - Booklist

‘Social justice enthusiasts and readers with an interest in LGBTQIA representation will find much to enjoy and discuss.’ - Bulletin of the Center of Children’s Books

‘[Miller’s] protagonists’ awareness of privilege and desire to challenge the status quo shines through. LGBTQ representation - including gay, trans, and nonbinary characters (Annette identifies as asexual biromantic) - further widens this tale’s appeal.‘ - Publishers Weekly