Series
Sarah Rees Brennan · 2024–2026
Creatures & Beings
Tropes & Themes
How it starts
Rae, a terminally ill woman, makes a magical bargain that transports her into the world of her favorite fantasy series, "A Time of Iron." Awakening in a castle on the edge of a hellish chasm, Rae finds herself in a kingdom on the brink of war. Here, she encounters dangerous monsters, scheming courtiers, and her favorite fictional character, the Once and Forever Emperor. However, Rae soon discovers she is not the heroine but the villainess in this tale. Embracing her new role, she assembles a group of villains under her leadership, aiming to change their fates. As the body count rises and the Emperor's fury intensifies, Rae and her allies must navigate treacherous waters to survive until the story's end. For fans of "Assistant to the Villain" by Hannah Nicole Maehrer and "Dreadful" by Caitlin Rozakis.