The Summer War by Naomi Novik. Del Rey, 2025. 9780593984703. 127pp.
“Celia was twelve years old when she cursed her brother.” Great opening line!
Celia’s brother, Argent, is the greatest knight and their father’s heir. On the day Argent renounces all of that and heads for the Summer Lands (think faerie) to become a hero, Celia accidentally curses him. Unfortunately, it’s also the day Celia comes into her power as a sorceress.
What follows is my favorite fantasy novella of 2025. Celia regrets her curse but has no way to undo it. Her father, a self-made man and cunning leader who “won” the Summer War for his King, falls apart at the loss of his son and loses focus. Her other brother, whom she has largely ignored, tries to get closer to her. And Celia is promised to a prince, which never goes well in these sorts of books.
If you’ve never read a book by Novik, this is a great place to start. Then read anything else she has ever written, you won’t be disappointed. (Personally, I recommend A Deadly Education and the books that follow, but that might be because I’m saving His Majesty’s Dragon and its sequels for a rainy season.)