Heir of Illusion: The Verran Isles Series Book 1 -- Madeline Taylor, Hardcover

"This is how you do romantasy!" --Brigitte Knightley, New York Times bestselling author of The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy

An alliance between enemies. A weapon of untold power. And a bond that could rewrite fate.

Fall into the viral, propulsive dark romantasy everyone is reading. A fae assassin with the power of illusion, sworn to a king she despises. An enigmatic grim reaper, searching for freedom. Enemies collide in an unlikely alliance, brimming with desire and destruction.

The stunning first edition hardcover will feature sprayed edges, designed endpapers, a custom-stamped case, and a premium dust jacket with metallic shine--while supplies last!

She is not the pet they tamed.

Blessed with the power of illusion, Iverson Pomeroy has many tricks up her sleeve. However, none of them are a match for the enchanted collar at her throat that keeps her bound as assassin and mistress to a ruthless king. Forced to play the role of his obedient pet, she plots in secret to destroy him and claim the freedom she has always been denied.

She is the beast they let inside.

When a mysterious reaper, Thorne, arrives in the city with his sights set on the same weapon Ivy needs--the only artifact that can remove her collar--she must decide how far she's willing to go.

And she will show no mercy.

With a tenuous alliance tying them together, Ivy learns there is more to her reluctant companion than meets the eye... He sparks her curiosity and ignites dangerous desires within her. But will the secrets they harbor destroy each other? And does it even matter, when anyone who so much as touches Thorne dies?

Tropes
Enemies to lovers / shadow daddy / female assassin / who did this to you / unlikely alliance / he falls first / banter / touch her and die / slow burn / morally gray MMC

Author: Madeline Taylor
Publisher: Slowburn
Published: 02/10/2026
Pages: 464
Binding Type: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781638934448

About the Author
Madeline Taylor is a fantasy romance author with a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. She loves to escape reality whenever possible, so reading and writing are great outlets for her. Her other notable hobbies include maladaptive daydreaming, listening to Taylor Swift, and being bossed around by a senile pug. She currently resides in Arkansas.