Book Synopsis

The Priory of the Orange Tree meets Black Sun in the thrilling launch of a political fantasy duology following three people--a refugee, a heretic queen, and a priest--as they attempt to shape the fortunes of a continent shattered by war.

Two hundred years ago, the warmongering Inver clan conquered the nation of Honoria, suppressing its pacifist goddesses, and ushering in an era of blood and battles. Now, after a brief but fraught peace, a king's whims threaten to reignite the engines of war.

At the sun goddess Raea's cloister, the last stronghold of Honoria's matriarchal religion, Fia and her infant daughter are in search of a safe haven. Fia aims to offer her child more than the poverty and abuse she was raised with, but the price of the cloister's protection will tear her from what she loves most and thrust her into a game more complex than she could imagine.

Within the Invers' mountain fortress, Ariana is known as the apostate queen. Once a follower of the goddess of stars, she left her faith for the sake of a king. But old loyalties are not easily severed. Ariana treads a dangerous path, striving for peace in a court made for conquest.

Deep in the heart of the mountain, the Inver Priest bides his time, presiding over his people's brutal religion. Blinded in the fight for the throne, he harbors a bitter grudge--one that could lead to Honoria's ruin or renewal.

Amid a treacherous landscape of enemies, allies, and intrigue, three lives will intertwine. Each will have to risk the wrath of gods and kings alike to alter the course of nations.

Review Quotes

"An absolute triumph of a book--Weymouth expertly blends politics, romance, and deep, profound meditations on motherhood in an intricate tale that deserves to be next to the classics. A new favorite book from one of my favorite writers."--Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of The Foxglove King

"At once achingly sweet and lavishly dark, Weymouth deftly weaves a tale of war, love, sacrifice and devotion. The Castle and the Cloister brings something truly human and honest to the adult fantasy landscape."--H. M. Long, author of Dark Water Daughter

Previous praise for Laura Weymouth:

"Weymouth's prose is lush and evocative, filled with palpable descriptions and compelling mystery... Spellbinding." --Kirkus on A Treason of Thorns

"Moody and atmospheric, with beautifully descriptive images, this is fantasy and magic at its best." --Shelf Awareness on A Treason of Thorns

"With lush prose and an eye for atmospheric detail, Weymouth adeptly spins a tale in which the heroine is torn between passion and purpose, destruction and duty." --Publishers Weekly (starred review) on A Treason of Thorns

"Laura Weymouth's storytelling is unmatched." --Aleksandra Ross, author of Don't Call the Wolf on A Rush of Wings

"Weymouth spins magic and whimsy like she was born of it." --Lauren Blackwood, author of Within These Wicked Walls on A Rush of Wings

About the Author

Laura E. Weymouth is the author of several novels, including the critically acclaimed The Light Between Worlds, A Treason of Thorns, A Rush of Wings, A Consuming Fire, and The Voice Upstairs. Born and raised in the Niagara region of Ontario, Laura now lives at the edge of the woods in western New York with her husband, three wild-hearted daughters, and an ever-expanding menagerie of animal friends. Learn more at LauraEWeymouth.com.