Humans who were once defenseless under the rule of powerful beings are beginning to claim a place of their own.
Pierce, the adopted human son of a slain Kastelian king, has spent his life feeling inferior to his brothers with special abilities. Now, armed with the magical items he stole, he is determined to build a new world where humans hold the power. From the shadows, Pierce controls the young human rulers of the kingdoms he has created, and anyone who stands in his way becomes a threat to his vision.
Eighteen-year-old Willa never imagined she would become part of Pierce’s plans. She has no wealth, noble blood, or desire for a life inside the castle. But when young King Destin is ordered to choose a third bride, Willa’s attempt to hide among the men of her village fails.
Now she must marry a king whose previous brides were found poisoned the night before their weddings or face lifelong imprisonment. As Willa enters a world of royalty, secrets, and deadly power struggles, she discovers that her unwanted crown places her at the center of a conflict far greater than her own.
Crowned continues the story begun in Valerie Claussen's novel, Sustain, bringing back familiar faces while introducing a new generation of royalty. Although Crowned can be read as a standalone novel, readers of Sustain will discover how the events of the first book continue to shape this changing world.
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