A Traitorous Heart

""[H]eaps of magic, witchcraft, swordplay, and intrigue keep the fantastical mystery and tension high...Cotter charms with the adventures of bold Jac, self-indulgent Margot, and courageous Henry as they search for a way to both save their country and forge their own paths."" -- Publishers Weekly * 12/2/2024 * It is 1572, and 17-year-old Jacqueline, or Jac, desires to be a member of the Societas Solis order rather than be a lady-in-waiting attending royal balls. Her Oncle, a member, refuses Jac’s pleas and would rather Jac forgo a life of espionage. When her best friend and love interest Princess Marguerite de Valois (Margot) is forced to marry King Henry of Navarre, Jac’s Oncle gives her the mission of assuring Margot, who prefers women, goes through with the marriage. That task proves more difficult when Jac and Henry develop feelings for each other. Along with the murdering of young men on the streets of Paris and sorcery, Jac rushes to solve the developing mysteries, while coming to terms with her romantic attractions. Cotter’s sophomore work is a thoughtful period piece exploring the difficulties of young adults freely expressing their polyamorous sexuality. Other important topics that arise in the story are social inequality and lack of freedom for women. An enjoyable read that dips into the history of the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre.  -- Booklist * 01/01/2025 * Life in 16th-century Paris is complicated for bisexual Jacqueline “Jac” d’Argenson-Aunis: despite her father’s “lowborn nobody” status, Jac is employed as a lady-in-waiting to French princess Marguerite “Margot” de Valois—who’s also Jac’s former lover. Jac’s unconventional upbringing with her enigmatic oncle, the Queen’s spymaster and a member of a secret society, has made her crave a life of adventure. But somehow, things get even more convoluted when Margot’s mother schemes for Margot to marry Huguenot prince Henry of Navarre in a union that the matriarch hopes will keep France from civil war. To Jac’s surprise, she finds herself drawn to the handsome (and similarly bisexual) prince. While those well-versed in the time period may think they know how this historical romance by Cotter (By Any Other Name) will end, heaps of magic, witchcraft, swordplay, and intrigue keep the fantastical mystery and tension high. Lengthy exposition and slow buildup aside, Cotter charms with the adventures of bold Jac, self-indulgent Margot, and courageous Henry as they search for a way to both save their country and forge their own paths despite limited time and agency. Main characters read as white. Ages 14–up. Agent: Kari Sutherland, KT literary. (Jan.) -- Publishers Weekly * 12/2/2024 *