Rift
The Courts Between Book One
by CB Woods
You must sign in to see if this title is available for request. Sign In or Register Now
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 25 Feb 2025 | Archive Date 24 Feb 2025
Talking about this book? Use #cbwoodbooks #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
Romantic fantasy fans will be swept away by this tale of fated mates, court intrigue, and a love that defies the gods who grasp for crumbling control over the realms between and below.
The ties that bind often break us.
So few understand how the weight of a crown breaks your neck and straightens your spine the way Lunar demi-goddess Astra does.
She dreams of a world where title and rank mean nothing—a dangerous thought for someone a heartbeat away from the Lunar Throne. Exiled for her fiery tendencies and unpopular politics, she’s spent the last few years far from the court’s suffocating expectations.
When palace guardians find a mysterious object, Astra’s powerful intuition earns her an unwanted summons home from the community she’s built. It’s clear right away that her mother is determined not only to prohibit her return to her found family but to use her hand as a bargaining chip to strengthen alliances with the human courts.
Determined to control her own fate, Astra strikes a deal to wed the charming and rebellious King of Mercury. Her bargain entangles her with the king’s arrogant commander, Luxuros, whose secrets will rain down hell from both the Lunar Court’s enemies in the Solar Court and the gods that watch them all from the Court Above.
As the threat of war looms, Astra and Luxuros are thrust into a dangerous game of hidden truths and forbidden power. Astra must unearth long-buried family betrayals and embrace a legacy she’s always sworn she never wanted to keep the people she loves safe.
Why romantic fantasy readers will love Rift:
Enemies-to-lovers romance: Astra and Lux’s entanglement burns slowly with plenty of banter and yearning.
Fated mates with a twist: Mysterious golden Tethers tie fates together, but often cause more pain than pleasure.
Celestial world-building: From moonlit forests to glittering crystal towers, immerse yourself in the lush landscapes of the Lunar and Mercurian Courts.
High-stakes drama: Perfect for readers who love political intrigue, characters in impossible situations, and hidden truths waiting to unravel entire courts.
Advance Praise
"So much love and attention to detail has been put into this story. The places, the people, their names; everything has been carefully curated for this high-stakes, politically intriguing drama.
The pacing is perfect. We're given insight and histories when relevant without huge info-dumps that can get overwhelming. We're given time to see why things are the way they are and are confronted with obstacles which challenge those expectations and rules; allowing the characters a chance to grow organically on-page from the beginning to the end."
"There are obviously high stakes implied in the plot but there’s no big rush to act without thinking. I don't think I ever questioned why someone was acting the way they were or why they were doing something. The story just comes together so beautifully. The twists are emotionally impactful when they happen and you can never know for certain which characters are scheming for better or for worse."
"A beautiful tale of a princess with serious mommy issues (for good reason) who is looking for meaningful purpose and a place to belong. She has big dreams for a more equitable world and sets out to make her dreams a reality on the arm of a king, but finds the truth of her family history in the process, changing her entire worldview. An unexpected love story unfolds and the burn is pure poetry, giving my hopelessly romantic heart everything it needed to be beyond fulfilled by this story. It has magic. It has dragons. It has complicated family dynamics. It has love. It has tasteful spice. It has everything you want in a romantasy and more."
"This story broke me. Have you ever had a fight with your mother, or deep tension for years? Then this story is for you.
The celestial world building is a bit complex in the beginning, but as the characters unravel how the system came to be, you will understand more as the reader. There are twists and turns throughout the novel, and it will make you question every character’s motives. The ending caught me off guard, tears streaming at the end, and made me hungry for the next book.
Absolute 5 Star book for me. Spice is beautifully written and the scene is not overly explicit. Slower paced read, but well worth it in the end."
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9512083697485 |
| PRICE | US$7.77 (USD) |
| PAGES | 524 |
