Firethorn — Sarah Micklem

Introducing a mesmerizing debut in the rich tradition of Marion Zimmer Bradt--a passionate tale of love and war in which the gods grant a common girl uncommon gifts.

A lowborn orphan, Luck is destined to a life of servitude. But when her mistress dies, the girl flees in grief to the forest, where she discovers the sacred firethorn tree, whose berries bring her fevered dreams, a new name . . . and a new fate.

In the chaos of the UpsideDown Days, when the highborn and the low trade places, Firethorn couples with the warrior Sire Galan -- and when he rides away to join the king's army, she rides with him. By day she uses her gifts as a healer to earn a place among the camp's women, and by night she shares Sire Galan's bed, her desire equal to his. But the passion they feel for each other has no place in a world ruled by caste and violence -- and Firethorn will soon learn how hard it can be to tell honor from dishonor, justice from vengeance.