The Unwilling: A Novel (The Barrier Lands)

“Drips with atmosphere and intrigue . . .” this fantasy coming of age novel “is a study in suffering and cruelty but also in determination.” (Publishers Weekly)   Judah is an orphaned girl with a secret gift, born at the gates of Highfall castle. Raised alongside Gavin, heir to Lord Elban’s empire, the two share an extrasensory bond—one that is key to Judah’s survival and her possible undoing.   Elban—as mighty as he is cruel—plans to use Judah as a pawn to amass greater control. He will stop at nothing to get what he wants.   But beyond the castle walls, a magus, a healer with his own powerful force, has arrived from the provinces. He, too, has designs on the realm, and at the heart of his plans lies Judah . . . The girl who started life with no name and no history will soon discover her own strength. Intriguingly, she does not have to be given power: she can just take it.   “Fantasy at its most sublime!” —Erin Morgenstern, New York Times–bestselling author of The Night Circus   “Brilliantly executed.” —Vanity Fair   “Suspenseful, magical, wonderfully written . . . An essential addition to all epic-fantasy collections.” —Booklist (starred review)    “A juggernaut of an epic fantasy novel with ingenious, thrilling twists and turns. Put this on the shelf beside Naomi Novik and George R. R. Martin.” —Kelly Link, Hugo and Nebula award-winning author of Get in Trouble   “A viscerally powerful book.” —Kat Howard, author of Roses and Rot   "Gorgeously told . . . At once a sweeping epic and an intimate portrait of being trapped in an oppressive regime.” —Gwenda Bond, New York Times–bestselling author of Stranger Things: Suspicious Minds Read more