The glimmer of a portal in the sky is too much to resist when Gretchen finds herself feeling old and frumpy. And on the other side it’s all booze and parties. Then she finds someone who looks a lot like Aunt Esme, and all thoughts of a bender are pushed aside. Fleeing into the fairy forest, Gretchen learns she’s stumbled into Queen Mab’s realm, and is now the fox fleeing the hounds. Her savior whisks her underground and out of sight, and from there they must head to the castle where Queen Mab’s stronghold offers the only chance at returning home. But dark secrets stand between them and their destination. Which side of the portal does she really want to stay on, anyway? Gretchen must confront her past, accept her present, and decide her future. Oh, and fix a broken system enslaving folks from back home.

Moulin Rouge meets Holly Black in a thrilling sapphic friends-to-lovers romantasy! This lavish and decedent LGBTQ+ fantasy romance will leave fans of Divine Rivals and Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries utterly enchanted! “A romantic and thrilling story of ambition, magic, and peril.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review After running away from home, Sybil Clarion is eager to embrace all the freedom the Belle Époque city of Severon has to offer. Instead, she’s traded high-society soirées for empty pockets. At least she has Esme, the girl who offered Sybil a home, and if either of them dared, something more. While Esme would rather spend the night tinkering with her clocks and snuggling her cats, Sybil craves excitement and needs money. She plans to get both by stealing the rare posters that crop up around town. But when she’s caught selling a poster by none other than its subject, Maeve, the glamorous girl invites Sybil and Esme to The Absinthe Underground, the exclusive club she co-owns, and reveals herself to be a Green Faerie, trapped in this world. Maeve wants to hire thieves for a daring heist in Fae and is willing to pay enough that Sybil and Esme never have to worry about money again. It’s too good of an offer to pass up, even if Maeve’s tragic story doesn’t quite add up, and the secrets could jeopardize everything the girls have so carefully built. Jamie Pacton, author of The Vermilion Emporium, dazzles in this whimsical and daring romantic fantasy. Fans of Fae lore, slow-burn sapphic pining, and decadently magical worlds will find The Absinthe Underground as ensorcelling as a fairy delight.

In Anthony Trollope's 'The Chronicles of Barsetshire & The Palliser Novels,' readers are immersed in a world of intricate social hierarchies, political intrigue, and complex character relationships. Trollope's richly detailed narratives showcase his keen observations of Victorian society, with a balance of wit and drama that keeps readers engaged. Through his meticulous prose and vivid descriptions of English countryside settings, Trollope captures the essence of the era with unparalleled authenticity. Trollope's ability to create compelling narratives filled with engaging characters has solidified his place in the literary canon. Anthony Trollope's own experiences working in the British Post Office and his deep understanding of human nature are evident in his well-developed characters and engrossing plotlines. Drawing from his own life and observations, Trollope weaves together stories that resonate with readers on a profound level. Trollope's astute commentary on society and politics adds a layer of depth to his narratives, making them both entertaining and thought-provoking. For readers who appreciate richly crafted narratives, multidimensional characters, and astute social commentary, 'The Chronicles of Barsetshire & The Palliser Novels' is a must-read. Trollope's ability to delve into the complexities of human relationships and societal structures makes this collection a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.

The Chronicles of Barsetshire (or Barchester Chronicles) is a series of six novels by the English author Anthony Trollope, set in the fictitious English county of Barsetshire (located roughly in the West Country) and its cathedral town of Barchester. The novels concern the dealings of the clergy and the gentry, and the political, amatory, and social manœuvrings that go on among and between them. Together, the series is regarded by many as Trollope's finest work. The Palliser novels are six novels, also known as the "Parliamentary Novels", by Anthony Trollope. The common thread is the wealthy aristocrat and politician Plantagenet Palliser and his wife Lady Glencora. The plots involve British and Irish politics in varying degrees, specifically in and around Parliament. Table of Contents: Anthony Trollope: An Autobiography The Chronicles of Barsetshire: The Warden The Barchester Towers Doctor Thorne Framley Parsonage The Small House at Allington The Last Chronicle of Barset The Palliser Novels: Can You Forgive Her? Phineas Finn The Eustace Diamonds Phineas Redux The Prime Minister The Duke's Children Anthony Trollope (1815–1882) was one of the most successful, prolific and respected English novelists of the Victorian era. Some of his best-loved works, collectively known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, revolve around the imaginary county of Barsetshire. He also wrote perceptive novels on political, social, and gender issues, and on other topical matters. Trollope's literary reputation dipped somewhat during the last years of his life, but he regained the esteem of critics by the mid-twentieth century.