Rebellious and outspoken Edel Beauregard enters the Beauty Trials--a deadly competition to find the next Queen of Orleans. The erratic former queen, Sophia, has been imprisoned. Peace has returned to Orléans. Her sister, Charlotte, sits on the throne and invokes the ancient tradition of the Beauty Trials: a series of tests meant to find the new ruler of Orléans. Edel Beauregard decides to enter, and promises to bind her arcana to keep from having an unnatural advantage. But the trials are far more dangerous than any of the dozen hopefuls bargained for. Some perish-- and Edel is attacked by one of the other competitors. Is there a conspiracy at play? -- adapted from jacket

Sequel to: The everlasting rose.