Author: Alex Aster
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Series: Lightlark (#1)

Welcome to the Centennial.

Every 100 years, the island of Lightlark appears to host the Centennial, a deadly game that only the rulers of six realms are invited to play. The invitation is a summons—a call to embrace victory and ruin, baubles and blood. The Centennial offers the six rulers one final chance to break the curses that have plagued their realms for centuries. Each ruler has something to hide. Each realm’s curse is uniquely wicked. To destroy the curses, one ruler must die.

Isla Crown is the young ruler of Wildling—a realm of temptresses cursed to kill anyone they fall in love with. They are feared and despised, and are counting on Isla to end their suffering by succeeding at the Centennial.

To survive, Isla must lie, cheat, and betray…even as love complicates everything.

Ooh, fellow book nerds, brace yourselves for a wild and wicked ride with Alex Aster’s “Lightlark”! As soon as I caught wind of this tantalizing tale, my bookish senses started tingling with excitement.

First off, let’s talk about that deliciously dark premise. A deadly game, cursed realms, and rulers locked in a battle of wits and survival? Sign me up! It’s giving me major “Hunger Games” vibes, but with a delightfully sinister twist that has me hooked from the get-go.

But what really sealed the deal for me was stumbling upon a social media post from the author herself, sharing her sheer joy at seeing her creation gracing the shelves of a bookstore. That genuine enthusiasm and pride in her work?

I mean, can you imagine the thrill of seeing your labor of love, your brainchild, out in the world for others to discover and devour? That’s the kind of infectious energy that had me scrambling to get my hands on a copy of “Lightlark” faster than you can say “cursed realms.”

And let’s be real, the premise alone is enough to set any book lover’s heart racing. A young ruler, Isla Crown, tasked with ending a wicked curse that plagues her realm? Talk about high stakes and deliciously tangled moral dilemmas! I can already envision myself getting swept up in the treachery, the betrayals, and the forbidden romance that’s bound to complicate matters even further.

So, fellow bibliophiles, let’s raise our metaphorical glasses to Alex Aster and embark on a journey to Lightlark, where curses reign supreme and only the cunning survive. I have a feeling this is going to be one wild, wickedly entertaining ride!