A River of Golden Bones: Book One of the Golden Court

by A.K. Mulford

Overview

From bestselling author of the romantasy sensation The High Mountain Court comes A River of Golden Bones, the first riveting, enchanting novel in an all-new romantic fantasy shifter trilogy, which begins a journey of self-discovery, romance, and adventure for a young heir as she/they comes out of hiding to save their sister from a malicious, powerful sorceress and her dangerous sleeping curse.

A sleeping curse. A fallen court. A secret twin.

Twins Calla and Briar have spent their entire lives hiding from the powerful sorceress who destroyed their kingdom…and from the humans who don’t know they are Wolves. Each twin has their own purpose in life: Briar’s is to marry the prince of an ally pack and save the Golden Court. Calla’s purpose is to remain a secret, her twin’s shadow . . . the backup plan.

No one knows who Calla truly is except for her childhood friend—and sister’s betrothed—the distractingly handsome Prince Grae. But when Calla and Briar journey out of hiding for Briar’s wedding, all of their well-made plans go awry. The evil sorceress is back with another sleeping curse for the last heir to the Golden Court.

Calla must step out of the shadows to save their sister, their kingdom, and their own legacy. Continuing to hide as a human and denying who she truly is, Calla embarks on a quest across the realm, discovering a whole world she never knew existed. Outside the confines of rigid Wolf society, Calla begins to wonder: who could she be if she dared to try?

Full of adventure, love, gender exploration, and self-discovery, A River of Golden Bones follows Calla’s journey through treacherous Wolf kingdoms, monster-filled realms, and the depths of their own heart in this thrilling romantic fantasy. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063291447
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	12/05/2023
Series:	The Golden Court , #1
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	5,082
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

A.K. Mulford is a bestselling fantasy author and former wildlife biologist who swapped rehabilitating monkeys for writing novels. She/they are inspired to create diverse stories that transport readers to new realms, making them fall in love with fantasy for the first time, or all over again. She now lives in Australia with her husband and two young human primates, creating lovable fantasy characters and making ridiculous TikToks.

Editorial Reviews

10/02/2023

Political tension between werewolf royalty animates this rip-roaring romantasy series launch from Mulford (the Five Crowns of Okrith series). Each of the four kingdoms in Aotreas is ruled by a different wolf pack, “protectors of their human kingdoms.” Since before her birth, Briar Marriel, princess of Olmdere, has been betrothed to Grae Claudius, prince of Damrienn. She and her twin sister, Calla, whose royal lineage is kept secret for her protection, grew up hiding from sorcerer Sawyn, who murdered their parents when they were children and took over Olmdere. Now Briar’s determined to use the alliance with Damrienn to reclaim the throne and avenge her parents, despite her lack of romantic connection with Grae. Before they can say “I do,” however, the Moon Goddess reveals Briar’s true fated mate to be Grae’s female cousin Maez, while Calla’s fated mate is Grae, who has long harbored feelings for her as well. Then, having discovered Briar’s whereabouts, Sawyn arrives and curses Briar into a deep sleep. Now it’s up to Calla to save her sister, defeat Sawyn, and reveal her royal lineage to the rest of the kingdom. A steamy romance between Calla and Grae unfolds amid battles against monsters and dark magic, intertwined with Calla’s fight against patriarchy and oppression and her burgeoning acceptance of her own genderqueerness. This series is off to an exciting start. (Dec.)

Publishers Weekly

"The relationship between Calla and these performers becomes the most compelling part of the book, giving rise to questions about gender and the difference between a protector and a tyrant. Defeating evil is important, sure — but the real thrill is finding people who make you want to be your fullest self. It’s lovely, life-affirming stuff.”  — Washington Post

“I was taken by the expert dismantling of the gender binary amidst a quest that is sexy, romantic, and heroic all at once.”  — Book Riot

"A steamy romance between Calla and Grae unfolds amid battles against monsters and dark magic, intertwined with Calla’s fight against patriarchy and oppression and her burgeoning acceptance of her own genderqueerness. This series is off to an exciting start."  — Publishers Weekly

“A beautiful journey of self-discovery and queer identity, filled with heart-stopping romance and page-turning adventure. A River of Golden Bones is a must read for fantasy and romance readers alike. I couldn’t put it down!” — Cait Jacobs, author of Medievally Blonde

“I inhaled this novel. A River of Golden Bones by A.K. Mulford is a gorgeously written queer fairytale fantasy conjured with the bones of wicked worldbuilding and laced with decadent spice. Get ready to devour this wolfish tale.” — Charissa Weaks, bestselling author The Witch Collector

"Mumford’s romantic fantasy plays with fairy tales, explores gender roles and societal expectation, and starts a delightful trilogy of wolf royalty." — Library Journal

"If you’re looking for a queer story about love, shape shifters and curses, then you have to read A River of Golden Bones. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I ended up finishing this one earlier than expected because I had to know what happened next...If you love shapeshifters, stories about overcoming odds and re-examining our beliefs, and politics, this is for you. It’s a series I know I’ll be keeping up with." — Utopia State of Mind

"One of the most moving books I’ve read in quite a while...I really, really liked the way that gender fluidity was explained and addressed within Calla’s story. I thought that the example of someone else who was completely comfortable with who they were, what they looked like and how they presented was a really powerful thing. The realization for Calla was such a relief, and the opportunity to come to terms with it before it’s inevitably used as a weapon was crucial. Really, really beautifully done!" — The Book Review Crew

"I was attracted to A River of Golden Bones because of the fairy tale elements to the story – the sleeping curse, a princess named Briar, you know, the usual. Once I got into it though, I realized that there was so much more to love about the book. It’s one of those books that just sucks you in and makes you want to keep reading into the night."  — Smexy Books

"An incredible book. From the depth of the characters to the beautifully described scenery. The sense of mild humor even when things are tough and the overarching sense of loyalty. This is a found family book and it shows in their interactions. I didn’t want this book to end and, now that it has, I can’t wait to read the next one." — Nonbinary Knights Reads and Reviews

From the Publisher

11/01/2023

Calla and Briar are the last survivors of the Golden Court, one of the wolf kingdoms in their land. After a sorceress ravaged their kingdom, the twins have been hidden their entire lives, protected by a faery. Now their roles to save the Golden Court are nearly ready to be implemented: Briar will marry an ally pack's Prince, and Calla will stand in her sister's shadow, a hidden backup. At the wedding, the plans fall apart when that sorceress arrives to send Calla into an enchanted sleep—and relationships are tested. Calla knows she must find a way to save her sister and her kingdom, but she'll have to hide as a human on her journey in order to be safe. Not only will her quest be challenging, but Calla's discovery of the truth about herself, and the role she is supposed to play, could change not only her own future but the whole of wolf society. VERDICT Mumford's (The Evergreen Heir) romantic fantasy plays with fairy tales, explores gender roles and societal expectation, and starts a delightful trilogy of wolf royalty.—Kristi Chadwick

Library Journal

Twins Calla and Briar arrive at the wolves' court, with narrator Vico Ortiz providing Calla's first-person narration. In a slower, expressive voice, Ortiz describes Calla's responses to the dreadful challenges there. Calla discovers childhood friend Prince Grae is their fated wolf mate and watches Briar be cursed by a sorceress and kidnapped. Calla emerges as an underdog whose moral code attracts friends and allies as they journey to the sorceress's kingdom to free Briar. Ortiz voices Calla's mate, Grae, in a gravelly, intense voice that cements their bond for listeners. Other characters have distinct voices; however, the guard Hector's voice verges on buffoonish, which distracts in conversations. The slower pace of Ortiz's delivery helps listeners follow the story's multiple storylines. C.A. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine

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