• Age: 12 to 18
• Grade: 7 to 12

A girl who yearns for freedom, a handsome thief . . . and the start of an epic romantic adventure that will change the course of history, combining the romance and adventure of The Princess Bride with the political intrigue of Game of Thrones. For fans of Stephanie Garber, Leigh Bardugo, Shelby Mahurin and Jennifer L. Armentrout.

The only life Persephone has ever known has been one of servitude, and she dreams of freedom, buoyed by a spirit and sense of humor that have never wavered. When a chance encounter with a handsome thief offers her a chance to leave, she grabs it with both hands . . . and the thief, Azriel, will just have to keep up.

But Azriel is not everything he seems, and he believes Persephone holds the key to a greater freedom for himself and his people, who have been hunted for years by the king's regent, an evil and sadistic man who will stop at nothing in his quest for power. Azriel has a plan to defeat him, and he needs Persephone — but does Persephone need him?

As her journey brings her deeper and deeper into a cruel and dangerous world, Persephone must quickly learn who to trust . . . and whether an impossibly broad-shouldered thief holds the key to her future, or her ruin.

Once Upon a Broken Heart meets The Queen's Thief in Prophecy, the first book in The Fractured Kingdom trilogy — filled with heart-pounding romance and epic adventure.

M.L. Fergus Fergus' profile page

M.L. FERGUS's many books for young people have been translated into more than a dozen languages, optioned for television, adapted for stage, and won or been shortlisted for numerous prestigious awards. She writes illustrated books for young readers under the name Maureen Fergus. She lives in Winnipeg, Canada with her family.

More information about M.L. Fergus can be found on her website www.maureenfergus.com.