The Defiant Heir

Name: The Defiant Heir
Brand: Hachette New Zealand Ltd
SKU: 9780356510620
Price: 29.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

By Melissa Caruso

Series: Swords and Fire

0.0 (0 reviews)

4.3

( 3,638 ratings, 371 reviews)

Summary

The Defiant Heir by Melissa Caruso is a riveting fantasy novel set in a world where magic is bound by strict rules and political intrigue is rampant. It follows Amalia Cornaro, a young noblewoman who is grappling with her newfound responsibilities as a Falcon, a mageborn enforcer. As her powers grow, she must navigate diplomatic tensions, a looming war, and her complicated relationship with a powerful warlock. Amalia must make difficult choices to protect her kingdom from internal and external threats, all while discovering more about her own strength and destiny.
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Format: Paperback / softback

$29⁹⁹

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The Defiant Heir

$29⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you like thrilling adventures filled with magic, political intrigue, and complex characters. It offers a captivating world where alliances are tested, and power struggles unfold, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Fans of Fantasy with strong world-building and emotional depth will find it particularly engaging.

The Defiant Heir continues the spellbinding story of courtly intrigue and dangerous magic that began with The Tethered Mage.

Description

'Melissa Caruso has taken things to an ENTIRELY new level of awesome' Powder and Page

Across the border, the Witch Lords are preparing for war. But before an invasion of Raverra can begin, all seventeen Witch Lords must gather to agree a course of action. Lady Amalia Cornaro knows that this conclave might be her only chance to stifle the growing flames of war.

Amalia and her warlock Zaira must go behind enemy lines, using every ounce of wit and cunning they have to avert the coming conflict. If they fail, it will all come down to swords and fire.

The Defiant Heir continues the spellbinding tale of courtly intrigue and dangerous magic that began with Gemmell Award shortlisted debut The Tethered Mage.

Praise for the series:

'Caruso has really hit her fantasy stride with The Defiant Heir' Culturefly

The Tethered Mage is an excellent debut novel that set a high bar for its follow-up, but The Defiant Heir takes the series to the next level in every way . . . I can hardly contain my excitement for the third instalment' Fantasy Book Cafe

'I couldn't put it down' Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library

'I raced through this exquisite debut in three days and adored it' - Fantasy Book Review

'An enchanting voice and an original world you won't want to leave' RJ Barker, author of The Bone Ships

'A breathtaking book. Equal parts fantasy and political intrigue, The Tethered Mage pulls readers relentlessly through labyrinthine turns of conspiracy, adventure and romance' BookPage

Books by Melissa Caruso:

Swords and Fire

The Tethered Mage
The Defiant Heir
The Unbound Empire

Rooks and Ruin

The Obsidian Tower
The Quicksilver Court
The Ivory Tomb

Series: Swords and Fire

View all

The Unbound Empire

'This is a series worth your time' The Quill to Live 'A dashing, compelling and exciting story, blending magic, assassination, conspiracy and diplomacy . . . I loved this book' Blue Book Balloon on THE DEFIANT HEIR While winter snows keep the invading armies of the Witch Lord Ruven at bay, Lady Amalia Cornaro and the fire warlock Zaira attempt...

By Melissa Caruso

Paperback

$27⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$29⁹⁹~~

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
The Tethered Mage

CONTROL THE MAGIC, CONTROL THE WORLD In the Raverran Empire, magic is scarce and those born with power are strictly controlled - taken as children and conscripted into the Falcon Army. Zaira has lived her life on the streets to avoid this fate, hiding her mage-mark and thieving to survive. But hers is a rare and dangerous magic, one that...

By Melissa Caruso

Paperback

$27⁹⁹

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
The Defiant Heir

'Melissa Caruso has taken things to an ENTIRELY new level of awesome' Powder and Page Across the border, the Witch Lords are preparing for war. But before an invasion of Raverra can begin, all seventeen Witch Lords must gather to agree a course of action. Lady Amalia Cornaro knows that this conclave might be her only chance to stifle the...

By Melissa Caruso

Paperback

$29⁹⁹

In Stock
Ships tomorrow

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Melissa Caruso's The Defiant Heir has received glowing reviews, with readers praising its elevation from the first book, The Tethered Mage. The story is lauded for its engaging characters, intriguing mysteries, and dynamic blend of magic, assassination, and diplomacy. Readers are impressed by the intricate world-building and the excitement surrounding its development, eagerly anticipating the next instalment.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780356510620

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 April 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Orbit

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 46.0mm

Width: 132.0mm

Height: 200.0mm

Weight: 427g

Pages: 560

Collections

Best Sellers at Book Hero Fantasy Fiction General Fiction In Stock Books In-Stock Fiction Books Melissa Caruso New Release Fiction Sci-Fi & Fantasy Series: Swords and Fire

About the Author

Melissa Caruso was born on the summer solstice and went to school in an old mansion with a secret door, but despite this auspicious beginning has yet to develop any known superpowers. She has spent her whole life creating imaginary worlds, and in addition to writing is also an avid larper and tabletop gamer.

Melissa graduated with honours in creative writing from Brown University and has an MFA in fiction from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her first novel, The Tethered Mage, was shortlisted for a Gemmell Morningstar award for best fantasy debut.

Melissa lives in Massachusetts with her video game designer husband, two magical daughters and assorted pets. You can find her on Twitter, where she posts about writing, tea and sword-fighting in ballgowns.

Also by Melissa Caruso

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The Unbound Empire

'This is a series worth your time' The Quill to Live 'A dashing, compelling and exciting story, blending magic, assassination, conspiracy and diplomacy . . . I loved this book' Blue Book Balloon on THE DEFIANT HEIR While winter snows keep the invading armies of the Witch Lord Ruven at bay, Lady Amalia Cornaro and the fire warlock Zaira attempt...

By Melissa Caruso

Paperback

$27⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$29⁹⁹~~

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
The Ivory Tomb

‘Truly excellent fantasy’ Locus on The Obsidian Tower The Ivory Tomb concludes the wildly original epic fantasy series bursting with intrigue and ambition, questioned loyalties, and broken magic that began with The Obsidian Tower. The Dark Days have returned. The Demon of Carnage mercilessly cuts through villagers and armies. The Demon of Corruption rots the land. The Serene Empire and...

By Melissa Caruso

Paperback

$27⁹⁹

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
The Last Soul Among Wolves

The Last Soul Among Wolves is the dazzling second instalment in Melissa Caruso's bestselling Echo Archives series, a whip-smart fantasy adventure packed with murder, mystery and mind-bending magic. All Kembral Thorne wants is to finish her maternity leave in peace. But when her best friend drags her to a will reading at a decrepit island mansion—along with her once-rival, now-girlfriend...

By Melissa Caruso

Paperback

$34⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$37⁹⁹~~

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
The Last Hour Between Worlds

'I completely adored this book and would read a dozen more of Kembral's adventures' —Shannon Chakraborty, New York Times bestselling author of The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi 'A masterpiece - filled with excitement, romance and characters you would protect with your life . . . Unmissable!' —Andre Stewart, author of The Bone Shard Daughter Follow a star investigator and her...

By Melissa Caruso

Paperback

$37⁹⁹

In Stock
Ships tomorrow
The Obsidian Tower

From the Gemmell Award-shortlisted author of The Tethered Mage, The Obsidian Tower launches a bold new epic fantasy trilogy in which one woman's powers and choices may save - or destroy - a continent. As the granddaughter of a Witch Lord of Vaskandar, Ryx was destined for power and prestige. But a childhood illness left her with broken magic that...

By Melissa Caruso

Paperback

$27⁹⁹

In Stock
Ships tomorrow
The Tethered Mage

CONTROL THE MAGIC, CONTROL THE WORLD In the Raverran Empire, magic is scarce and those born with power are strictly controlled - taken as children and conscripted into the Falcon Army. Zaira has lived her life on the streets to avoid this fate, hiding her mage-mark and thieving to survive. But hers is a rare and dangerous magic, one that...

By Melissa Caruso

Paperback

$27⁹⁹

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
The Last Hour Between Worlds

FALL HEADFIRST INTO A WHIP-SMART ADVENTURE FANTASY PACKED FULL OF MURDER, MYSTERY AND MIND-BENDING MAGIC. 'A time-bending triumph, a compelling adventure... gorgeous, witty, fast-paced and atmospheric' Locus 'I completely adored this book and would read a dozen more of Kembral's adventures' — Shannon Chakraborty, New York Times bestselling author of The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi Renowned investigator Kembral Thorne is...

By Melissa Caruso

Paperback

$27⁹⁹

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
Pre-order

The Last Soul Among Wolves

The Last Soul Among Wolves is the dazzling second instalment in Melissa Caruso's bestselling Echo Archives series, a whip-smart fantasy adventure packed with murder, mystery and mind-bending magic. All Kembral Thorne wants is to finish her maternity leave in peace. But when her best friend drags her to a will reading at a decrepit island mansion - along with her...

By Melissa Caruso

Paperback

$27⁹⁹

Pre-order
Out 15 Sep 2026
The Quicksilver Court

The Quicksilver Court continues the wildly original epic fantasy series bursting with intrigue and ambition, questioned loyalties, and broken magic that began with The Obsidian Tower. Ryxander has failed. Unsealed by her blood, the Door hidden within the black tower of Gloamingard has opened. Now, for the first time since the age of the Graces, demons walk the world. As...

By Melissa Caruso

Paperback

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