Step Into the Court of Soissons: The Gambit of Queens Arrives in The Witch’s Rebirth Series
If you love historical fantasy that bleeds with dark magic, ruthless ambition, and complex court intrigue, clear your reading schedule. From 11-time award-winning author Michaela Riley comes The Gambit of Queens, the highly anticipated fourth installment of The Witch’s Rebirth Series.
Set against the volatile backdrop of 6th-century Francia, this new novel plunges readers deeper into a world where crowns are won with poison, history is rewritten by fire, and the deadliest women in history are just getting started.
Francia at the Breaking Point: 567 AD
History remembers the real-world rivalry between Fredegund and Brunhild as one of the bloodiest, most relentless feuds of the Early Middle Ages—a decades-long war that tore a kingdom apart. Riley takes this rich, brutal historical canvas and infuses it with a dark, pulsating vein of fantasy.
In the court of Soissons, the most dangerous woman isn’t the witch. It’s the servant who will become queen.
Fredegund is a ruthless survivor who has clawed her way up from servitude to the threshold of absolute power. Standing across the geopolitical chessboard is Brunhild, a fierce, unyielding Visigothic princess who refuses to bow to anyone. Together, these two powerhouses are about to ignite a blood-soaked war that will burn for nearly half a century.
Ancient Magic Meets Dark Historical Politics
While kings and queens posture and plot, something far older—and infinitely darker—is stirring behind Fredegund’s throne.
Enter Merona and Murdach. Bound as ancient Guardians of the Veil, they are forced to step directly into the viper’s nest of Soissons politics. But a new, terrifying threat looms over them: the Church has begun systematically burning the old histories, turning forbidden knowledge and ancient truths to ash.
For Merona, the stakes couldn't be higher. As the past is actively erased, she must decide how far she is willing to go to save what the world is desperately trying to forget.
As the tagline warns: Some secrets cannot be hidden. They can only be carried.
And carrying that weight comes with a devastating price. In Riley’s meticulously crafted universe, magic is never free, and the keepers of forbidden knowledge are always, eventually, hunted.
Why You Need to Read The Gambit of Queens
Whether you’ve been following Merona’s journey since book one or you're looking for your next immersive historical fantasy obsession, The Gambit of Queens delivers everything dark fantasy fans crave:
Intense Court Intrigue: Navigate the treacherous, backstabbing politics of 6th-century Francia, where every smile hides a dagger and every cup of wine could be your last.
Legendary Rivalries: Witness the collision of Fredegund and Brunhild—two of history's most formidable women brought to vivid, electrifying life.
Immortal Guardians & Hidden Magic: Explore a secret history where immortal beings fight to preserve ancient truths against the rising tide of a changing world.
A Masterclass in World-Building: Award-winning author Michaela Riley seamlessly blends gritty, authentic historical elements with lush, high-stakes magical fantasy.
A Kingdom Divided. A Magic Forbidden. A Gambit Unleashed.
Are you ready to re-enter the veil?
The Gambit of Queens is available now. Grab your copy today, uncover the secrets the Church tried to burn, and discover why Michaela Riley is an award-winning force in dark historical fantasy.
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
