COURT CHARADE HC

From the New York Times bestselling illustrators of Beauty and Beautiful Darkness comes a brisk, tongue-in-cheek graphic novel in a fairy-tale tone, where love blossoms in the unlikeliest of places — and nothing is as it seems.

Serine is the poor but spirited daughter of an ailing nobleman. To avoid being married off after her father’s death, she must make her way at the royal court. Although she cannot read and owns just one dress, she wins the favor of the moody queen — but the court is not a kind place for a country girl. To survive the queen’s tantrums, the ladies-in-waiting’s gossip, and the royal advisor’s sinister schemes, Serine needs all her wits. With nothing but her cleverness and the help of the friendly, handsome torturer’s assistant, she hopes to save her job, protect the kingdom, and perhaps even find true love — or will she end up the fool?

• Witty, modern adult fairy tale with Puss in Boots charm
• Satirical look at toxic workplaces and court intrigue
• Romance, cunning, and a healthy dose of heart