Heir of Illusion by Madeline Taylor
“She is not the pet they tamed. She is the beast they let inside.”
Madeline Taylor’s Heir of Illusion is a heart-pounding new dark romantasy novel that will leave you more than a little breathless. Hot on the heels of its success in the self-publishing market, Heir of Illusion receives the traditional treatment in a stunning new hardcover edition from Slowburn in February 2026.
Iverson Pomeroy–Ivy, to those close to her–is the wraith, a deadly fae assassin gifted with illusion magic that makes her capable of disappearing from sight. Bound to the dangerous King Baylor through the magic of an enchanted collar, Ivy longs for her freedom and a life beyond the role of controlled assassin, mistress and pet of the King. When Thorne, a reaper from the court of the God of Death, arrives in Baylor’s court as part of a tenuous alliance, a rare chance is placed within Ivy’s reach.
Shackled by Magic, Chasing Freedom
A powerful sword has been stolen–a blade capable of whispering into minds and killing gods–and Thorne and Ivy find themselves tasked with retrieving it. Not only that, but the sword may be the missing piece in securing Ivy’s freedom, as it possesses the power to break her bindings. Desperate for freedom and plagued by the horrors of her past, Ivy must decide whether she can trust the mysterious shadow-wielding reaper and determine just how far she’s willing to go to leave behind her shackles as the King’s pet. Shadows are growing longer, and time is running short–yet Ivy can’t help but wonder if Thorne feels the same growing attraction between them as she does, a confession that could spark the strangling wrath of the King. Who can she trust? Who is Thorne really? Will they find the sword before it’s too late, or will Ivy’s past catch up to them first and bring it all crashing down? Taylor’s breathtaking first installment in the Verran Isles series is a page-turner from start to finish, and will leave you guessing until those final, jaw-dropping moments.
When I say this is a stay-up-all-night-because-you-have-to-finish-the-book type of read, I am 100% serious. Taylor absolutely bursts on to the traditional publishing scene with this dark, delicious novel, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next installment! It’s gritty, it’s sensual, it’s heartbreaking, it’s bloody, it’s action-packed and it’s downright captivating to read.
Taylor has crafted characters that will bring you right back into the romantasy genre that you know and love, while still serving up new and exciting takes. Think A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, and a spicy twist on Death that will have you desperate for more. There’s romance, angst, absolutely delightful banter, wicked fights and even darker dealings, all packed into a sizzling story featuring your two new favorite characters. Ivy and Thorne are allies-to-lovers gold–did I mention banter? These two are a powerful duo carrying layers of secrets and their own personal histories, but their verbal sparring is perhaps one of the best parts of this book. Add in a crew of interesting characters that will both lift and break your heart, and the cast of this novel is sure to delight.
If you love a dark romantasy with powerful assassins, wicked plots, magical weapons, allies-to-lovers romance, killer plot twists, a shadow-wielding reaper and a badass illusionist, then Heir of Illusion is for you!
About Madeline Taylor:
Madeline Taylor is a fantasy romance author with a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. She loves to escape reality whenever possible, so reading and writing are great outlets for her. Her other notable hobbies include maladaptive daydreaming, listening to Taylor Swift and being bossed around by a senile pug. She currently resides in Arkansas.
