Rapunzel meets Six of Crows in this darkly imagined high fantasy for fans of T. Kingfisher’s Nettle & Bone, The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart, Naomi Novik’s Uprooted, and Disney’s Tangled, as a woman with amnesia—and magical hair—searches for her lost memories while navigating a web of royal intrigue, bone magic, and secret monasteries.
All her life, Netta has only known the Tower—its musty shelves of books she cannot read, ink-splattered quills, and endless scrolls of paper. Her mother, ambitious and analytical, has spent decades perfecting her greatest masterpiece: a spellbook of unspeakable power. Netta’s only companions are her long red Hair, which moves of its own accord, and a telepathic raven named Baldbeak. Her only amusement lies in crafting intricate embroidery from scraps of silk and thread.
When attackers storm the Tower, her mother and the spellbook vanish. Determined to find her, Netta ventures into a kingdom on the brink of civil war. The monarch lies dying, while pious Temple fanatics and the noble elite scheme for the throne, forging secret alliances and building hidden armies. For reasons she cannot yet fathom, all these factions seek Netta—and the dangerous, uncontrollable magic in her Hair.
But whom can she trust? The sharp-eyed pickpocket bent on revolutionizing the use of magic? The elusive black market trader known only as the Book Man? The charming magician who slips between shadow and light? From masked carnivals to opulent ballrooms, from hidden monasteries to catacombs, Netta must untangle a web of lies and intrigue – not only to find her mother, but also to uncover the true nature of the power that has shaped her life.
Praise for A Tangled Magic
”Absolutely wonderful! Filled with great characters and magnificent magic, this fresh and beautiful tale will enchant you! I loved it!” —Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop
”Alluring and deftly-written, A Tangled Magic is a bewitching, magical treat! Eames threads darkly vivid Gothic themes through a fantastical, empowering narrative that enjoyably offers a well-researched window into the traditional arts of embroidery and book making. A compelling reimagining of a classic fairy-tale.” —Leanna Renee Hieber, USA Today Bestselling author of America’s Most Gothic and Award-winning author of Strangely Beautiful
“A Tangled Magic is a wonderful fairytale-esque fantasy that is full of whimsy, charm, and a richly-drawn world. Wholly unique, this story has enough political intrigue and horror to temper the sweetness, making it the perfect balance between darkness and light. Netta is a deeply compelling protagonist and Baldbeak is absolutely hilarious! I loved this book!!” —Keshe Chow, #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Girl with No Reflection
“Eames belongs on the same shelf as Margaret Rogerson and Diana Wynne Jones. Equal parts dark and whimsical, A Tangled Magic combines an original magic system, a winning heroine, and side characters we can all root for (I loved Baldbeak the raven– and her Hair!) with a twisty plot that kept me glued to my seat and eager for answers until the very end. Highly recommended!” —Kimberly Bea, author of The Changeling Queen
“Brimming with wild, untamed magic and the grisly sacrifices used to bind it, A Tangled Magic is a fairytale about the lies we’re told, the politics of power, and unraveling the tapestry of other people’s stories to find your own. Heartfelt and bewitching.” —Susan J. Morris, author of Strange Beasts and Wayward Souls
“Beware! Wiley Word Mage, Andrea Eames, casts an irresistible spell in this gorgeous reinvention of an iconic fairy tale. I adored A Tangled Magic, Netta’s tenderness of heart, iron resolve, and her magical hair with a mind of its own. Shimmering, atmospheric, lyrical and powerful, the narrative unfolds like the expertly stitched Temple Tapestry in the story. There’s bone magic, a telepathic raven and an irritatingly handsome travelling magician, ready to help and hinder Netta in equal measure. Truly enchanting.” —Rachael Craw, author of The Lost Saint
“A dark reimagining of Rapunzel that deftly weaves threads of the original fairy tale into something unique. With lush world building, a brutal magic system, and a loyal animal companion, A Tangled Magic is sure to delight fans of dark fantasy and retellings alike.” —Serra Swift, author of Kill the Beast
“A Tangled Magic ensnared me from the first page with mystery and magic, politics and adventure, and an intrepid heroine (and her raven) relearning and rewriting her own story. A gorgeous fairy tale, heartfelt and enchanting.”—H.G. Parry
