Starred Review Readers craving a captivating adventure will find that and more in Lucier's brilliant fantasy. In St. John del Mar, the royal mapmaker disappears on the same day as the kingdom's two young princes. Eighteen years later, two maps and a mysterious riddle are discovered and believed to be connected to the presumed deaths of del Mar's princes, setting the mapmaker's son Elias on the journey of a lifetime. With the aid of the new king (Elias' longtime friend) and the king's cousin, Elias endeavors to unearth what really happened to the lost princes. Along with the truth come secrets and unknown enemies that threaten both Elias and the future of del Mar. Lucier's novel gifts readers a lush fantasy rife with adventure, slow-burning romance, mysteries, intrigue, and action. The main characters are vividly drawn and pop off the page, while even the secondary characters are masterfully and believably rendered. The world building is smart and staggering, and the plot excels at being fast-paced without sacrificing the depth of the characters or story. Family, duty, love, secrets, lies, betrayal, and exposed truths are all subjects explored by Lucier. This is the perfect book for any reader who loves the open seas, a good secret, a haunting mystery, and a dangerous yet breathtaking adventure.

Mysterious maps from opposite ends of the sea cast doubt on the whereabouts of two princes, long presumed dead.Nineteen-year-old Lord Elias, whose father, Lord Antoni, was the Royal Navigator of the kingdom of St. John del Mar, is summoned by the king, his dear friend Ulises, to examine two recently created maps that have just been discovered. They bear no identifying cartouches and yet they have unmistakably been painted by his late father. Even stranger, they hint that not only Lord Antoni, but also the rightful heirs to the throne are still alive. Eighteen years ago, Elias' father disappeared and the royal princes were kidnapped by the neighboring kingdom of Mondrago. Eager to find Lord Antoni and the king's brothers, Elias, Ulises, and Mercedes, Ulises' beautiful and capable cousin, chase clues gleaned from the parchments, traveling to distant lands through serpent-infested waters only to suspect that the biggest threat to their kingdom lies within their own castle walls. Elias has long, wavy, sun-lightened brown hair, while Mercedes, half Mondragan, half del Marian, struggles with the disdain of her countrymen; she has black hair and golden skin, however her green eyes and freckles are a sign of her Mondragan ancestry.A romantic maritime epic and a charming tribute to mapmakers, calligraphers, and explorers. (Fantasy. 12-15)

In this lush historical fantasy set in a world reminiscent of the Renaissance-era Mediterranean, the discovery of a mysterious map triggers a search for the truth behind the tragic events of decades past. Young King Ulises of the island nation of St. John of del Mar only ascended the throne because his older brothers were kidnapped by agents of a neighboring nation 18 years earlier, and are presumed dead. Then several maps surface that appear to be the work of the supposedly long-dead royal navigator Lord Antoni, suggesting that he and the lost princes might still be alive after all. Antoni-s son Elias and Ulises-s cousin Mercedes set out to solve a riddle related to the maps that could change del Mar forever, only to encounter dangers both real and supernatural. Combining rich descriptions with a compelling mystery, Lucier (A Death-Struck Year) creates a vibrant world populated by appealing characters and enhances the story with subtle magical elements, a hint of romance, and a dose of political intrigue. The unusual inclusion of cartography as a plot device further distinguishes this satisfying adventure. Readers will cheer for the gender role-defying female characters and the bromance between Elias and Ulises. Ages 12-up. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary & Media. (Apr.)