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The Faithful Dark

The Sunday Times bestselling unforgettable and darkly gothic mystery set in a holy city on the brink of destruction
Brief Description
This is the city of miracles, but not everything miraculous is good. In a holy walled city where sin and sanctity are revealed through touch, Csilla—a girl born without a soul—is worth little to the Church that raised her. But when a series of murders corrodes... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3799
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An aged-up THE TOMBS OF ATUAN meets AVA REID in this uniquely dark and gothic religious fantasy duology following three spiritual enemies forced to team up to find a murderer whose evil is responsible for degrading the magic that protects their Vatican-inspired city and all its people.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This is the city of miracles, but not everything miraculous is good.

In a holy walled city where sin and sanctity are revealed through touch, Csilla—a girl born without a soul—is worth little to the Church that raised her. But when a series of murders corrodes the faithful magic that keeps the city safe, the Church elders see a use for her flaw: she can assassinate their prime suspect, a heretic with divine heritage, without risking the stain of sin.

The heretic, however, makes Csilla a counteroffer: clear his name by helping him catch the real killer, and he'll use his angelic gifts to grant her very own soul. Meanwhile, ruthless Ilan, desperate to earn back his position as Church Inquisitor, sees the case as his chance at redemption: he'll bring in the murderer—or, failing that, Csilla and the heretic—and regain his title.

But as the death toll rises, and their hunt pits them against the all-powerful and callous Faith, Csilla finds herself torn. Will her salvation come at the cost of everything she believes in?

Series: The Brilliant Soul Duology

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781399751162

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 19 February 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Hodderscape

Illustration: N/A

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 32.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 232.0mm

Weight: 500g

Pages: 416

About the Author

Cate Baumer (she/her) is a fantasy writer who lived half her life in Japan but currently resides on an Appalachian mountaintop and is occasionally visited by foxes and bears. While she works as an international relocation consultant by day, she spends her nights crafting bittersweet stories set in lush and haunted worlds.

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