The Book of Gold: the first magical book heist novel in the Feral Gods trilogy - Softcover

Long, Ruth Frances

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1399731580 ISBN 13: 9781399731584

Publisher: Hodderscape, 2025

Synopsis

A DESPERATE THIEF. A MAGICAL BOOK. A HEIST FOR THE AGES.

'History and enchantment woven in a seamless, intricate tapestry' Sarah Rees Brennan
'Intricately plotted and vividly imagined' M.A. Kuzniar

There's only one thing notorious thief Lyta loves more than a big score: her little brother, Kit. But when Kit is arrested for producing seditious pamphlets, he stands to lose not only his printing press, but possibly his life.

In exchange for her brother's freedom, Lyta strikes a daring bargain with the king -she will steal the infamous Book of Gold: a mysterious manuscript reputed to be hiding vast magical power within.

It's just the kind of challenge Lyta relishes, but she didn't bargain for a secretive scholar, her brother's interference, or the return of handsome and brooding Captain Sylvian Chant, once her lover and partner in crime, now an incorruptible royal bodyguard . . .

Tropes included:
Magical Heist
Childhood friends to enemies...to lovers
Second chance romance
Alt History Renaissance
Found family

READERS LOVE THE BOOK OF GOLD
'SIX OF CROWS meets THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA, with just a hint of A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC, with a charm and edge that is all Long's own'

'I'm fully on board for more adventures with Lyta and crew . . . For fans of Solo, The Princess Bride, Ocean's Eight and Eleven, and anyone looking for a wonderful book worthy of heists'

'This was EXCELLENT'

'I especially loved the characters. They multi-faceted, complex people and I enjoyed reading from all three POVs'

'Such a fun, 16th century inspired heist and state-vs-religion fantasy'

'I read this as the BFS book club read for January, and I was absolutely bowled over by it. Long takes her love of the history of old books, particularly the Plantin Polyglot Bible, and 16th Century Antwerp and delivers a sumptuous fantasy story'

AUTHORS LOVE THE BOOK OF GOLD
'Sweeps you away with magic books, gods, and a gorgeous second-chance romance. This book is golden!' M.A. KUZNIAR

'History and enchantment woven in a seamless, intricate tapestry' Sarah Rees Brennan

'Intricately plotted and vividly imagined, The Book of Gold snatched me away to a dangerous, decadent city populated by thieves and kings; scholars and gods' Lyra Selene

About this title

About the Author

Ruth Frances Long writes romance and fantasy from the heart which often strays into weird and wonderful liminal places. In 2015 she won a European Science Fiction Society award for A Crack in Everything. She also writes as Jessica Thorne, was longlisted for the RNA Romance Fantasy award in 2020, and wrote a tie in novel for the music festival Tomorrowland. She lives in Ireland and works in a specialized library of rare & occasionally crazy books. But they are mostly under control.

From the Back Cover

'History and enchantment woven in a seamless, intricate tapestry' Sarah Rees Brennan

A desperate thief. A magical book. And a heist for the ages.

There's only one thing notorious thief Lyta loves more than a big score: her little brother, Kit. But when Kit is arrested for producing seditious pamphlets, he stands to lose not only his printing press, but possibly his life.

In exchange for her brother's freedom, Lyta strikes a daring bargain with the king -she will steal the infamous Book of Gold: a mysterious manuscript reputed to be hiding vast magical power within.

It's just the kind of challenge Lyta relishes, but she didn't bargain for a secretive scholar, her brother's interference, or the return of handsome and brooding Captain Sylvian Chant, once her lover and partner in crime, now an incorruptible royal bodyguard . . .

Edition details

• Publisher: Hodderscape
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1399731580
• ISBN 13: 9781399731584
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368