Publishers Weekly
07/24/2023
Rutherford (The Poison Season) puts a slow-burning, tension-filled undead spin on Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death” in this fantasy reimagining. Four years earlier, when a plague outbreak known as the mori roja ravaged the kingdom of Goslind, erratic King Stuart imprisoned hundreds of nobles and servants in his castle, known as Eldridge Hall. There, in dwindling luxury, he continues to pretend that the plague doesn’t exist. Among those trapped is Jewish 17-year-old Seraphina, who was taken from her family and now impersonates the real Princess Imogen, who died of the plague. Not too far from the castle, butcher’s son Nico serves a charismatic lord, who tasks Nico with investigating the outwardly abandoned Eldridge Hall for survivors. Along the way, Nico encounters plague victims on their way to Eldridge Hall, who wander the kingdom as undead creatures yearning for blood. In his effort to warn whoever might be there of the danger beyond the castle walls, Nico meets Seraphina, and the two are pulled into the delusions of “the mad king.” Rutherford blends romance, assumed and mistaken identities, and an atmosphere brimming with impending dread to develop a gothically sinister apocalyptic read. Protagonists cue as white. Ages 13–up. Agent: Uwe Stender, Triada US. (Aug.)
New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Allison Saft
You’ll be lured into the rotten opulence of Eldridge Hall, and you won’t ever want to leave.”
From the Publisher
Praise for A Multitude of Dreams:
“Rutherford’s talent for creating a story that haunts and unravels you is not unlike Poe in her mastery.” —Buzzfeed
“A bloody, fast-paced, and starkly beautiful reimagining of a Gothic classic—with a determined, fierce heroine at its heart. You’ll be lured into the rotten opulence of Eldridge Hall, and you won’t ever want to leave.” —Allison Saft, New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic
“Mara Rutherford’s gothic fantasy glitters with romance and dangerous secrets, rotting castles and slow-burning suspense. A spellbinding tale woven with horror and hope that will linger with readers long after the final page." —Rebecca Ross, New York Times bestselling author of Divine Rivals
"With its slow-burning romance, masquerading characters, and dangerous castle intrigue, this timely fantasy enthralled me from the first page to last!” —Kathryn Purdie, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Bone Crier’s Moon
"A Multitude of Dreams immerses you in lush, grotesque glamor; a world of decaying gothic manors and sinister monsters, where suspenseful horror is threaded with an undercurrent of determination and hope." —Lyndall Clipstone, author of the World at the Lake’s Edge duology and Unholy Terrors
"Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death,” this lush, eerie tale balances mystery, horror, and romance...Exquisitely moody and goose bumps-inducing." —Kirkus Reviews
Praise for The Poison Season:
"Mara Rutherford’s The Poison Season took me on journey through a bloodthirsty forest, where two star-crossed lovers discover the true meaning of poison. It brims with evocative storytelling that left me enchanted!" — Emily J. Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of Hotel Magnifique
"Whimsical, romantic, and satisfying." —Kirkus Reviews
“This darkly magical tale, mixing forbidden romance, family drama, and a suspenseful mystery, is a strong standalone fantasy.” —Booklist
"The Poison Season is a haunting and fairytale-esque YA fantasy about fear, love, and community. Recommend for fans of Small Favors, Lakesedge, and The Bone Houses." —YA Books Central
Kirkus Reviews
2023-06-08
The plague is perhaps over, but there are more horrors yet to come.
Seraphina Blum has spent almost four years inside the boarded-up castle Eldridge Hall, pretending to be Princess Imogen. Few know Seraphina is actually Jewish and was taken from her family when the real Imogen died from the mori roja. To appease “the mad king” so they can stay safe inside, those dwelling within the castle act as if the plague never happened, but with the food supply dwindling, it’s time for the charade to end. Elsewhere in the kingdom, Nicodemus Mott lives with other immunes at Crane Manor. The plague seems to be over, and so Lord Crane tasks Nico with journeying to the castle to seek out possible survivors. Along the way, Nico learns of other dangers in the outside world; he winds up impersonating a prince to gain access to the castle in hopes of warning its inhabitants of what’s coming. Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death,” this lush, eerie tale balances mystery, horror, and romance. Seraphina and Nico, both cued white, are captivating leads: They have been going through the motions just to survive, but throughout the story, they find their confidence and power. There are gradual reveals rather than shocking twists, but they work in the book’s favor, enhancing the unsettling tone and reinforcing the conceit of a masquerade and everyone hiding truths.
Exquisitely moody and goose bumps–inducing. (Gothic fantasy. 13-18)
