Blood, Crowns, and Forbidden Magic: Step Into the Dark, Lethal World of The Gambit of Queens
Blood, Crowns, and Forbidden Magic: Step Into the Dark, Lethal World of The Gambit of Queens
Francia, 567 AD.
The kingdom is splitting at the seams. It is an era where heavy wool, mud, and jewels mask a rot deep within the bones of Europe. Crowns are heavy, but the knives used to take them are sharper. In the brutal, candle-lit halls of Soissons, the air is thick with the scent of burning wax, spilled wine, and slow-acting poison.
And in this viper’s nest, the most dangerous woman isn’t the witch.
It’s the servant who will become queen.
From the eleven-time award-winning author Michaela Riley comes The Gambit of Queens: The Witch’s Rebirth Part IV. If you have been hungering for a lush, dark historical fantasy that marries the brutal, visceral politics of The Last Kingdom with the dark, atmospheric magic of The Witcher, your next obsession has arrived.
Two Queens. A Blood-Soaked War. Zero Mercy.
At the heart of Riley’s latest masterpiece are two of history's most ferocious, indomitable figures, brought to terrifying, breathing life:
Fredegund: A ruthless, unyielding servant who clawed her way up from the dirt and through the blood of her rivals to grasp a crown. She knows how the world treats those without power—and she has ensured she will never be powerless again.
Brunhild: A fierce, brilliant Visigothic princess who refuses to bow, bend, or break, even as the walls close in around her.
Their colliding ambitions are about to ignite a forty-year, blood-soaked war that will tear Francia apart. Every alliance is temporary. Every cup of wine is a gamble. And every smile hides a dagger.
When History Turns to Ash: The Guardians Enter the Fray
As if the clash of crowns and courtly poison weren't enough to doom the realm, something far older, deeper, and darker is moving in the shadows behind Fredegund’s throne.
Enter Merona and Murdach.
Bound as ancient Guardians of the Veil, they step into the treacherous politics of Soissons at the exact moment the Church begins systematically burning the old histories. As forbidden knowledge turns to ash and ancient truths are buried beneath holy edicts, Merona faces an impossible burden: How far are you willing to go to save what the world is desperately trying to erase?
Some secrets cannot be hidden. They can only be carried.
But magic always demands a toll, and Merona’s choice will cost her more than she ever imagined. Because in a world purging its own past, the keepers of forbidden knowledge are always, eventually, hunted.
Why The Witch’s Rebirth Series Is Taking the Fantasy World by Storm
If you aren’t reading Michaela Riley yet, The Gambit of Queens is your invitation to dive into the deep end. Here is why readers and critics alike are calling this the premier dark historical fantasy series of the decade:
Immersive, Unforgiving History: Riley doesn’t just write fantasy; she breathes life into the Dark Ages. The mud, the silk, the cold stone of the castles, and the absolute precariousness of life in 6th-century Europe are rendered in vivid, sensory detail.
Complex, Morally Gray Women: Forget damsels in distress. Riley’s women—whether they are grasping servant-queens, defiant princesses, or immortal guardians—are complex, ruthless, and entirely unforgettable.
Magic with Teeth: This isn’t a world of shiny wands and sparkling spells. Magic in The Witch’s Rebirth is ancient, costly, and shadowed by the heavy weight of sacrifice. Every spell leaves a scar.
Masterclass Court Intrigue: If you love scheming, political chess matches, and psychological warfare, the halls of Soissons will thrill you to your core.
The Board is Set. The First Move Has Been Made.
A kingdom divided. A magic forbidden. A gambit unleashed.
As part IV of the acclaimed The Witch’s Rebirth series, The Gambit of Queens raises the stakes higher than ever before. Will Merona protect the ancient secrets before they are wiped from existence? Can Francia survive the colliding forces of Fredegund and Brunhild? Or will the entire realm burn to ash in the fires of ambition?
The board is set. Step into the court of Soissons.
Ready to claim your copy? The Gambit of Queens: The Witch’s Rebirth Part IV by eleven-time award-winning author Michaela Riley is available now. Pick up your copy today and discover the price of forbidden power.
Born on Samhain night beneath a dark eclipse... 🌑
You can’t fight an ancient war without knowing how it started. Dive into the award-winning dark historical fantasy series from 11-time award-winning author Michaela Riley.
📖 Book 1: Labyrinth of Shadows. Fall into the labyrinth where it all began.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DTBLDNCX
🔥 Book 2: Cauldron of Dagdahttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWVRBM2F
⚔️ Book 3: Spear of Lughhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWVZ2CXQ
👑 Book 4: The Gambit of Queens. Releasing on Samhain, October 31. Preorder now.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HLZTZJXV
🕯️ Walk Merona’s path yourself: Beyond the Veil: A Shadow Growth Journalhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HNTRBSBN
📚 Prefer another store? Find all my books here: https://books2read.com/ap/n7b4gE/Michaela-Riley
