‘A wickedly fresh dark academia sure to slither straight into your heart. Rival houses, haunted catacombs, layered mysteries, and a hate to love romance sharp enough to wound… Deathbringer is a must-read!’ Brittney Arena, #1 Sunday Times Bestselling author of A Dance of Lies ‘By turns thrilling, gothic, tender, and sexy – often all at once – Deathbringer by Sonia Tagliareni is the dark academia romantasy I’ve been waiting for. With a brooding poison mage and a reluctant death mage forced to work together to solve a murder mystery, this masterfully crafted story is also a meditation on grief and belonging – with an ending that will leave you desperate to return to Gorhail’ Jennifer Mandula, author of The Geomagician ‘A deliciously atmospheric plunge into a rich world of murky alliances and creeping betrayal, where dead men tell tales and speak in riddles. Tagliareni skillfully spins a sweeping romance between two houses, alike in dignity, whose ancient grudges could unleash new horror and whose secrets have no intention of staying dead’ Shalini Abeysekara, #1 Sunday Times Bestselling author of This Monster of Mine ‘A slow burn dark academia filled with delicious yearning, dripping with atmosphere, and a compelling mystery that kept me turning the pages late into the night’ Ellis Hunter, author of Blood Bound 'Tagliareni’s novel is sure to be the top fantasy of the year, distinguishing itself in an overcrowded market. Viola is an unforgettable heroine, and her complex dynamic with Sylas will make readers root for them and cry with them. Dark, rich, and deeply felt from betrayals, this is a must-read for every fantasy lover' Sarah Mughal Rana, author of Dawn of the Firebird ‘A spellbinding fever dream of a book that was impossible to put down. Deathbringer has everything I love about dark academia and romantic fantasy, paired with a tender, heart-wrenching exploration of grief and the ways it shapes us, and woven together in a way that is wholly unique and utterly gorgeous. Sonia Tagliareni had me gasping at the twists I never saw coming, kicking my feet at the simmering slow-burn tension, and at times outright sobbing – leaving me missing Sylas and Viola long after the last page, and already desperate for the sequel’ Bar Fridman-Tell, author of Honeysuckle 'To say this rich and imaginative dark academia is impossible to put down is an understatement. A slow burn murder mystery that grows to a scorching blaze of intrigue, danger and romance. Tagliareni’s debut is a new and welcome voice to make room for on your shelf' Elle Tesch, author of What Wakes the Bell 'Sumptuous, decadent, and gripping, Deathbringer is a genre-bending feast of dark academia, murder mystery, and forbidden romance. Tagliareni bewitches with her richly-crafted world of necromancy and poison while masterfully layering in suspense. Gorhail ensnared me from the first page; this is one to be savored' Amélie Wen Zhao, author of The Scorpion and the Night Blossom 'A decadent new voice in romantic fantasy. With her debut, Deathbringer, Tagliareni weaves a masterful tale of forbidden love, dangerous magic, and betrayal. If you love dark academia, found family casts, and intricate world building, you won’t want to miss this one' Kate Dylan, Sunday Times Bestselling author of Until We Shatter. 'Deathbringer is a dark, decadent masterpiece. It brims with magic, systemic struggles and epic love. Tagliareni’s vibrant characters carry enough secrets to fill a crypt, and at its heart, it’s an exploration of legacy; what we owe our families, and what we owe ourselves' Mikayla Bridge, author of Of Flame and Fury 'Deathbringer is essential dark academia. Forbidden forests, ancient halls, and snakes that can heal or kill, it’s an utterly original debut that expertly balances tension, adventure, grief and a sizzling romance' Annie Summerlee, author of The Book of Blood and Roses 'With an irresistible voice and a mystery that kept me second-guessing until the very end, Deathbringer is a captivating, must-read that made me feel every step of the way!' J.R. Ward, #1 New York Times bestselling author 'Deathbringer is utterly spellbinding, with immersive worldbuilding, intoxicating dark academia vibes, and a forbidden romance that simmers with tension. I came for the dangerous murder mystery, but stayed for Viola’s raw emotional journey, which gripped me and never let go. Sonia Tagliareni’s debut is a bold triumph–dark, elegant, and impossible to forget' Rebecca Robinson, author of The Serpent and The Wolf 'Deathbringer is an astonishing debut that left me equal parts breathless and desperate for more. The characters are well-fleshed out, the world-building is masterclass, and the setting is richly interwoven with darkness and magic. I am left reeling after the ending, and already I am counting down the days until the sequel is released' Heba Al-Wasity, author of Weavingshaw
