Magic was dormant - never dead

To some, Emri - the adopted heir and daughter of two queens - is a living reminder that her birth father tried to usurp the Edaran throne. But as she grapples with a diplomatic visit from her estranged cousin, Melisande, the two girls are attacked by a magical force and spirited away. They must put their differences aside when Emri comes face to face with a goddess she's always considered a myth: Lady Winter.

Trapped deep within a mountain temple alongside other young royals, they face a race against time to complete Lady Winter's trials ... or die.

Sequel to 2020's exciting YA debut - Queen of Coin and Whispers

About the Author

Helen Corcoran grew up in Cork, Ireland, dreaming of scheming queens and dashing lady knights. After graduating from Trinity College, Dublin, she worked as a bookseller for over a decade. She lives in Dublin, writing fantasy novels and haunting coffee shops in search of the perfect latte.

Her young adult novel Daughter of Winter and Twilight was shortlisted for the An Post Irish Book Awards 2023.

Reviews

'I've had the best few days reading DAUGHTER OF WINTER AND TWILIGHT by Helen Corcoran (@glittersandglows).

This is a standalone sequel to QUEEN OF COIN AND WHISPERS, which I absolutely loved and is, in my opinion, criminally underrated.

In the first book, we saw idealistic Queen Aurelia fall in love with her vengeful spymaster, Xania. Now they are the married Queens of Edar and parents to Emri, their adopted heir, whose birthfather once tried to usurp Lia.

This duology is such a treat for fans of high fantasy - a feast of courtly intrigue, intricate politics, family drama, and interconnected religions. It's also very careful and compassionate in its depiction of trauma.

I loved learning more about the gods that watch over this world, especially the four that are linked to the seasons. The lore and history is so well-drawn.

If you loved Sabran and Ead, I suspect you'll also love Xania and Lia. It was wonderful to see them again in this sequel.'

-- Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange Tree

This duology is such a treat for fans of high fantasy - a feast of courtly intrigue, intricate politics, family drama, and interconnected religions ... The lore and history is so well-drawn.

-- Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange Tree

a book for everyone who's ever had to figure out how to mend a broken heart, face their past, or walk into an uncertain future. In short, it's a book for all of us. Tender and heartwarming, Emri and her gods aren't to be missed ... a more than worthy follow up

-- Nebula & Hugo Award Finalist C.L. Clark

a 5-star read for me. I was utterly absorbed in the delicious political intrigue and machinations of the ruling classes. The plot was gripping and held me in suspense trying to guess what would happen next ... a solid fantasy with plenty of banter, queer rep, and a fast-paced plot. A standalone sequel to Queen of Coin and Whispers

-- @ScorpioBkDreams

[Corcoran] almost seamlessly eaves several different narratives and characters into a complex yet cohesive story that is an absolute page turner

-- Inis Magazine

a brilliant adventure quest, with witty, crackling dialogue, complex protagonists, horrifyingly real godmonsters, and a real moral dilemma at its heart. The writing in this book is so assured, the action feels so effortless, that I galloped through these pages and couldn't wait to pick it up again when I was forced to put it down

-- @bookaneer808

Helen Corcoran weaves a much darker story of courtly intrigue with queer representation

-- The Echo

highly enjoyable companion novel to Queen of Coin and Whispers ... from the beginning we're immersed in courtly intrigue ... fab writing of family and friendship

-- Mary Watson

Authors often speak of the "second- slump": the challenge of producing another novel once one has arrived on the shelves (and somehow, thoughtlessly, not magically fixed everything in that writer's life). It is true that second novels do sometimes end up simply replicating what a writer imagines made the first one work - but it is also true that writers sometimes knock it out of the park with a second book, firmly establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with. This is what fantasy author Helen Corcoran has done with Daughter of Winter and Twilight ... an elegant, gripping tale that is both sequel to her first book and something completely different ... The thoughtful characterisation of Emri, and of the other young royals the goddess has forced to accompany her on a dangerous quest, is one of the great strengths of this novel. Corcoran's care with exploring the impact of trauma in fantastical worlds, particularly the harm those trusted with protecting young people can inflict, is reminiscent of Kristin Cashore's work. Superb

-- Claire Hennessy, Irish Times

Helen Corcoran's fantasy novel Queen of Coin and Whispers was well reviewed in Books for Keeps and the sequel is highly recommended too ... Corcoran manages to portray the two cousins as recognisable teenagers even as she constructs the strange, often terrifying magical world that is their prison, and succeeds in bringing her different narratives together so that we know them as girls, princesses, and victims of others' ambition and careless cruelty ... the story more than holds our attention throughout, its world of courtly intrigue, vengeful gods and burgeoning friendships immersive. The courts' relaxed attitudes to queer relationships will be another recommendation for readers. The final pages set the scene for further episodes in this distinctive, original fantasy series ... a gripping story of courtly intrigue and vengeful gods ... highly recommended

-- Books for Keeps

beautiful prose, with achingly beautiful atmosphere and characters ... a worthy successor to Queen of Coin and Whispers and I'm happy to recommend and give 5/5 stars

-- BuddhaBookBlog

I love this story even more than the last ... Complex, incredibly intriguing, seeping with dangers at every turn, exceptionally well-written...it is simply magnificent ... Characters, storytelling and magic that you will not soon forget

-- Fallen Star Stories

I was completely gripped ... Helen has a unique writing talent, covering issues for young adults and LGBTQ in a book for everyone who's ever had to figure out how to mend a broken heart, face their past, or walk into an uncertain future

-- The Munster Bookshelf, Munster Express

Just when I thought I couldn't love Queen of Coin and Whispers more, Corcoran blew me away with Daughter of Winter and Twilight ... This is an incredible novel that reminded me of books like Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber and The Bone Season series by Samantha Shannon ... It is a book that will stay with me for a long time and I highly recommend it

-- Paper Lanterns

compelling ... a novel about families and power, secrets and dealing with the consequences of the previous generation's choices ... a vivid, entertaining fantasy coming-of-age. I really enjoyed it. More, please?

-- Liz Bourke, Locus Magazine

This standalone sequel to Corcoran's Queen of Coin and Whispers features Emri, daughter of the two queens of Edar and heir to the throne. When her cousin, Melisande visits and the girls are attacked and spirited away, they must put their differences aside to survive. Corcoran has created a richly imagined, immersive world which will thrill any fan of high fantasy

-- Irish Independent, Sarah Webb

this story continues the political intrigue of the original and adds a touch of spooky magic to create a terrific adventure with wicked traps and a memorably creepy setting. Perfect for fans and newcomers alike

-- Children's Books Ireland's Annual Reading Guide 2023

Once more Helen Corcoran has woven a tale so compulsive that 561 pages it is almost impossible to put down, almost impossible to think of doing anything other than simply reading it from start to finish even if that means staying up long beyond bedtimes! What makes this story so special, such compulsive reading? Put simply it is magical. It has fantasy, myth, magic, love, friendship, power and so much more in the mix that we just want to, have to keep reading

-- Armadillo Magazine


Awards
Short-listed for International Education Services TEEN AND YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF THE YEAR in honour of John Treacy 2023 (Ireland).



Book Information
ISBN 9781788493703
Author Helen Corcoran
Format Paperback
Page Count 576
Imprint O'Brien Press Ltd
Publisher O'Brien Press Ltd
Weight(grams) 447g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 128mm * 35mm