The Kiss of the Nightingale

By: Adi Denner

Narrated by: Alexandra Boulton

A stolen magical gem transforms an orphan's destiny . . . a stunning and completely unputdownable romantasy novel set in an alternative historical Paris, The Kiss of the Nightingale weaves together the seduction of Bridgerton and the magic of Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone series.

1890, Lutèce: In this city, Talents are everything: precious gems that gift unrivalled skills to their owners. The most coveted, Elite Talents, are claimed by the aristocracy, passed through generations by blood magic.

Cleodora dreamed of inheriting her father's Tailoring Talent, but when he died, the magic died with him. Now she’s left with empty promises, a dress shop she can’t keep afloat, and her bed-ridden younger sister.

But everything changes when she meets the dark-eyed Lady Dahlia Sibille. Dahlia offers Cleodora a Singing Talent — a chance to save her beloved sister and rewrite her own fate. From the first instant, Cleodora is bewitched. . . there's just one catch: she needs to steal an Elite Talent from the prestigious Lenoir family.

As Lutèce's nightingale, Cleodora is the star of the opera's galas and balls, worlds away from the darkness and dust of home. But the handsome yet infuriating Vicomte Lenoir is nothing like she expected.

Soon, the Vicomte's teasing smiles win her over, even as Dahlia's seductive whispers linger in her ears. Torn between Dahlia, who gave her everything, and the Vicomte, who holds the price of her freedom, is Cleodora in danger of losing it all? Or can she prove that magic isn’t the only gift that counts?

©2024 Adi Denner (P)2024 Tundra Books

Critic reviews

"The original magic system and captivating setting are accompanied by a fast-paced narrative as the story engages with narrative as the story engages with themes of class and art." —Kirkus Reviews

"A lush fantasy infused with swooning romance and twisty turns, as enrapturing as it is fresh." —Booklist

The music! The intrigue!

This was beautifully read and written. I enjoyed every twist and turn! The world building was seamless and easy to slip into and the characters were flawed and relatable. Brava!