A teenage assassin kills with a single kiss until she is ordered to kill the one boy she loves. This commercial YA fantasy is romantic and addictive—like a poison kiss—and will thrill fans of Sarah J. Maas and Victoria Aveyard.
Marinda has kissed dozens of boys. They all die afterward. It’s a miserable life, but being a visha kanya—a poison maiden—is what she was created to do. Marinda serves the Raja by dispatching his enemies with only her lips as a weapon.
Until now, the men she was ordered to kiss have been strangers, enemies of the kingdom. Then she receives orders to kiss Deven, a boy she knows too well to be convinced he needs to die. She begins to question who she’s really working for. And that is a thread that, once pulled, will unravel more than she can afford to lose.
This rich, surprising, and accessible debut is based in Indian folklore and delivers a story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
"...the subsequent speedy unraveling of every aspect of Marinda’s life will likely leave readers as floored and shocked as it does Marinda."— Bulletin, starred review
“Quick and addictive.” —Booklist (online)
“A fan of mythological fantasy will find a lot to enjoy here . . . and your standard YA enthusiast will like it as well, based on its well-researched and engrossing plot.” —Culturess
“Addictive, riveting, and beautifully written.” —YA Books Central
