Not all fairy tales end happily ever after in this Cinderella-inspired fantasy by the bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess.

Yining stopped believing in dreams the day her beloved uncle died. Driven to survive, she's become a good thief and an even better liar. When she acquires an enchanted ring that could yield the key to a better life, it is stolen by her grasping stepaunt, and Yining must venture into the imperial heart of the Iron Mountains to seize it back.
Amid the grandeur of the palace, Yining catches the eye of the ruthless and ambitious Prince Zixin, who tempts her with a world she's never imagined. But nothing is as it seems as she's soon trapped in a tangle of power, treachery, and greed-her only ally a cunning advisor from a rival court who keeps dangerous secrets of his own. Desperate to secure her freedom, Yining embarks on a perilous quest where she must choose who to trust, unravel the mystery of her past, and fight for a future that both frightens and calls to her

Praise for the Sue Lynn Tan

'Epic, romantic, and enthralling from start to finish. I love this book' Stephanie Garber, #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Once Upon a Broken Heart

'A captivating treat for lovers of Chinese fantasy dramas and newcomers alike' Shelley Parker-Chan, #1 international bestselling author of She Who Became the Sun, on Daughter of the Moon Goddess

'An absolutely delightful and enchanting read!' Elizabeth Lim, Sunday Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes