Publisher's Synopsis
In the bustling, magic-wary city of Caranthir, seventeen-year-old Elya ekes out a life as a seamstress's apprentice, dutifully stitching hems while her heart yearns for more. She has heard vague whispers of forbidden illusions-thought to be fueled by a dangerous "love drug"-but never imagined she might encounter them. That changes the day she witnesses a spellbinding performance by Revan, a mysterious bard whose mesmerizing illusions are rumored to be addictive contraband.
Drawn to Revan's haunting music and the raw beauty of his illusions, Elya stumbles into a web of secrets. The Council enforces strict bans on magic that falls outside their control, while black-market smugglers peddle a potent elixir to power illusions for profit. Faced with two extremes-oppressive regulation versus exploitative crime-Elya discovers Revan's visions run deeper. He dreams of creating illusions fueled by genuine emotion rather than any harmful substance.
