A housemaid's quiet life is disrupted when the arrival of a mysterious stranger makes her question everything about her peaceful existence and her charming seaside home in this enticing fantasy YA novel from the award-winning author of A Hunger of Thorns and Unhallowed Halls.

A COSY SAPPHIC ROMANTASY WITH A DARK HEART

Once upon a time, there were three: a maid, a knight and a monster. But which was which?

Housemaid Tansy's only duties are to tend to old Lady Aster and care for their quaint, peaceful, isolated seaside cottage - the Oubliette. Tansy can't remember the last time she left ... or when she arrived.

Merit is a Carrion Knight. A servant of the dark entity the Unmaker, she has been raised to be a monster. But when she's wounded during a routine raid, she stumbles through a mysterious door ... and finds herself tumbling into the Oubliette.

When the two meet, an instant connection forms, and a crack appears in the Oubliette's perfect facade. As the bond between Merit and Tansy grows and powerful feelings rise to the surface, Tansy must question not only what she wants, but who she is. Because the origins of this charming world are darker than she could imagine - and the key to uncovering them might lie with Tansy herself.

'This is the book of my dreams - a shadow beneath a cosy surface, a swoonworthy romance, and a twist in the tail you won't see coming. And let's not forget a snarky cat, a loyal dog and a cantankerous goose. Perfection.' - Amie Kaufman, New York Times bestselling author of Lady's Knight

'Deliciously dark, whimsical, and deeply romantic, this story will sweep you right off your feet.' - Kate J Armstrong, author of Nightbirds

'This is a tender, passionate love story set within a rich fantasy realm with plenty of immersive lore for readers to discover ... A swoonworthy romance set in an exquisitely described world.' Kirkus Reviews, STARRED review

Tropes include:
- Mysterious stranger
- Overcoming amnesia
- Raised a monster
- Queer romance
- Wounded Knight
- Cosy with a dark heart

Details

ISBN13: 9781761181504
Format: Paperback / softback
Number of Pages: 384
Edition:
Publication Date: 03 Nov 2026
Publisher: A&U Children's
Publication City, Country: Australia
Dimensions (cm): 23.4(H)x15.3(L)404
Weight (gm): 404

Author Biography

Lili Wilkinson is the award-winning author of more than twenty books for children and teenagers, including Unhallowed Halls, Deep is the Fen, A Hunger of Thorns, After the Lights Go Out, The Erasure Initiative and Bravepaw. Lili established the Inky Awards at the Centre for Youth Literature, State Library of Victoria. She has a PhD in Creative Writing, and lives in Melbourne with her partner, child, dog and three chickens.

Reviews

Praise for Lili Wilkinson

'Dark magic and strange and ancient secrets unfurl in this stunning foray whose skillful plotting is reminiscent of Donna Tartt's The Secret History.' - Publisher's Weekly

'The luscious depth of the worldbuilding and the effortless skill with which it is conveyed make me utterly jealous.' - Amie Kaufman

'A lush, spellbinding tale with dangerously enchanting characters...' - C. S. Pacat