Mélusine — a city of secrets and lies, pleasure and pain, magic and corruption, and destinies lost and found...

Felix Harrowgate is a dashing, highly respected wizard. But the horrors of his past as an abused slave have returned, and threaten to destroy all he has since become.

As a cat burglar, Mildmay the Fox is used to being hunted. But now he has been caught by a wizard. And yet the wizard was looking not for Mildmay, but for Felix Harrowgate...

Thrown together by fate, these unlikely allies will uncover a shocking secret that will link them inexorably together.

"Set in the wondrous city of Mélusine, Monette's extraordinary first fantasy novel focuses on two captivating characters from two very different worlds: Felix Harrowgate, a powerful magician at the court of Lord Steven Teverius, and Mildmay the Fox, a cat burglar who has been trained as an assassin. When Felix falls prey to the unscrupulous machinations of a man who's plotting to destroy Mélusine, he's left nearly mad, unable to clear his name or explain his actions. Mildmay, on the other hand, undertakes a simple burglary, thinking it will lead to a bit of extra flash that will keep him going for more than a few days. Instead, the burglary opens the way to a series of unfortunate events that force Felix and Mildmay into a partnership neither of them could have anticipated or desired. Jacqueline Carey provides a blurb, but those readers expecting a knock-off of that author's Kushiel series will be happily surprised. Monette resembles Carey only insofar as she, too, is a highly original writer with her own unique voice. Agent, Jack Byrne at the Sternig & Byrne Literary Agency." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"While Monette's story engages, her characters deserve a standing ovation. Mildmay's off-color personality and often wickedly funny narration keep the story and the other characters fresh." Booklist (Starred Review)

"Monette has created an interesting world, leaving enough unexplained to intrigue patient readers." School Library Journal

"A lush novel, rife with decadent magic, debilitating madness, and dubious deeds." Jacqueline Carey, author of Kushiel's Legacy trilogy

Sarah Monette received the 2003 Spectrum Award for her short story, "Three Letters from the Queen of Elfland." This is her first novel.