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Cover of To Steal a Throne

To Steal a Throne

by Gabi Burton

🌶️fade to black·spoiler·Untitled #1

Why Read This?

You'll be hooked by addictive twists and a satisfying rivals-to-lovers romance that delivers on tension.

Synopsis

In this YA fantasy novel perfect for fans of Divine Rivals , a girl who has always served others decides to take power for herself. Her magic feeds on lies. His magic could destroy her. Mira Kyler runs the court of Virdei from the shadows. Ever since she helped her half-brother Luc cheat his way into the role of Virdei's leader, she's used her lie-powered magic to collect secrets from members of court, then used them as blackmail to keep her brother in power. But when newcomer Kaidren Vale shows up and challenges Luc's leadership, he threatens the stability Mira has worked so hard for. Kaidren also has magic-magic that can detect the precise nature of someone else's power with a single touch. If Kaidren so much as brushes against her, everyone will discover that Mira is the one who's been manipulating the court for years. As Kaidren and Luc compete in three deadly challenges called The Trials, Mira realizes that no matter who wins, she'll be stuck serving a mediocre man who doesn't deserve to be in charge. She's done hiding in the shadows. She wants power of her own. To get it, she'll have to betray both her own brother and Kaidren-but the fiercer the competition gets, the more Mira realizes that the one boy who could destroy everything is the one boy she might not be able to resist.

At a Glance

4.49 ★ Goodreads
Spice Level🌶️fade to black
Endingspoiler
PairingM/F
Romance Pacingmedium burn
Energymedium

Top Tropes

hidden identityadventure romancecompetition romancerivals competingroad trip romance

Mood

thrillingsuspensefuldarkromanticadventurous

Book Details

Goodreads Rating

4.49 ★

Page Count

384 pages

Published

2026

Primary Genre

Young Adult

Pairing

M/F

POV

First Person

Romance Pacing

Medium Burn

Audiobook

Available

Yes

Format

Standard

Narrator

Unknown Narrator

Narrator Count

Single

Tropes

RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

Mood

Writing Style

sharppunchyimmersivewitty

Story Pacing

fast

Emotional Weight

heavy

Energy Required

medium

Vibes

Deadly tournament politics with steamy rivals-to-lovers tension that feels like walking a knife's edge.

Characters

FMC Archetype

assassin / spymorally gray

MMC Archetype

hidden royaltymorally gray

Relationship Dynamics

forbidden love

Spice Details 🌶️

🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
Spice Level 1

Spice Style

intense / passionatetension / anticipation focusslow / sensual

Getting Steamy

None

Bringing the Heat

None
deathmurderviolencewar

World & Setting

World Type

high fantasy

Primary Setting

royal court / palacecompetition / games

Fantasy Creatures

Representation

bipoc libipoc mcpredominantly black and brown cast

Reading Context

Emotional Payoff

addictive readobsessedtension finally satisfied

Best Time of Year

autumn

When & Where to Read

summer eveningat nightcamping tripin nature

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