by Gracie Marsden
November 10, 2026
Genre: Asian American & Pacific Islander Literature, Asian Myth & Legend, Folklore
"You may devour this work in one sitting, but you'll be thinking about it for a long, long time."—Vaishnavi Patel, New York Times bestselling author of Kaikeyi
"Exquisitely wrenching [and] as elegantly constructed as a finger trap...A triumph." —Shelley Parker-Chan, bestselling author of She Who Became the Sun
A young woman makes a bargain with a shapeshifting demon who promises her power, if she will give up love—a painful price that sets her on a dark journey in this historical fantasy inspired by Taiwanese myth
Eleventh century Kangzhu. In a small village, far from the political conflicts of the royal dynasty, a too-young Yu’er is sold off to be married at the word of a jing, a shapeshifting-demon who prophesizes that her parents will thus gain wealth beyond their imagination. Her new husband Xiaozhu is, like her, barely more than a child himself—but he’s kind, and, over the years, Yu’er heals as they build a home together. They become allies, then friends, then lovers.
Until misfortune befalls them, once again at the hands of a demon. They’re left destitute and estranged. Reeling from loss, and determined to never leave her fate in another’s hands, Yu’er decides to strike her own bargain with a jing: she will have all the agency and riches she desires. She just has to leave Xiaozhu and their home together, forever—a price that will cost her more than she then understands.
Yu’er’s choice sets off a saga that will lead her to the heart of the royal court, and bring her more power than she ever dreamed of, but may kill her humanity along the way, in this sweeping tale of love, revenge, and redemption.
As a first novel- she has a definite winner. The "myth" stories are just wonderfully written to complement each other to make the whole book a "do not want to put it down" read.
She as woven fantasy, fairy tale, myth, magic; and, maybe, real life in a way that you can see and feel all the things that happen to the characters. Her descriptions make all the scenes and plots come to life, and flow in a manner that is easy to understand and read from "season" to chapter.
A most wonderful read that deserves 5+ Barts. And I hope she is working on her next novel, as this one is a winner.
5 Sheep
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Gracie is a proud Taiwanese-American author who grew up moving frequently between Taiwan and the US. Her favorite books (and her writing) highlight both the beautiful and awful things that make us human.
She also works as the young adult librarian at her local public library. Her adult fantasy debut, BONES OF JADE, FLESH LIKE ICE will release Fall 2026 with Viking Penguin Random House.
In her free time, Gracie enjoys knitting & crocheting, playing Stardew Valley, and petting her army of very fat cats.
Gracie is represented by
Mary C. Moore at Aevitas Creative Management.
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