Introduction: When the king of Aizasea is assassinated, eighteen-year-old Celvene is wise enough to keep her head down after witnessing the attack. As a circus mage, she has no business in politics鈥攗ntil the next ruler is selected by ritual, and Celvene is the sole soul capable of wielding the king's sword. Branded as the destined queen, she sets out to prove that, while young and inexperienced, she is worthy of her crown....