S. M. Gaither – författare

The old gods are growing restless...Mercenary Casia Greythorne cares about two things: completing her latest job and earning enough coin for the expensive medicine that's keeping her mentor alive.So when the king commands her to investigate a strange plague devastating the empire, she can't resist the massive reward he offers - even if it does mean working with the arrogant and infuriating Captain Elander.But as the death toll rises and strange monsters wreak havoc across the realms, Cas and Elander find themselves up against meddling gods and very old magic.Because an ancient evil is stirring in the shadows.And their empire will not survive its full unleashing.The first book in the thrilling Shadows & Crowns series - perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas' Throne of Glass and Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows!_______'Absolutely INCREDIBLE' 5* reader review'NEW FANTASY OBSESSION.' 5* reader review

Get ready to discover your next reading obsession with the first book in the irresistible new enemies-to-lovers romantasy series from the author of The Song of the Marked, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo.‘The perfect mix of fantasy with romance… I honestly think S.M. Gaither just gets better and better.’ 5* reader review‘My favourite book I've read so far this year.’ 5* reader reviewLove blooms in the darkness...Princess Bellanova has spent years in exile after escaping the curse that cast a death-like slumber over her family. Her talents for necromancy – and thievery – have kept her alive and given her a fearsome reputation.But survival isn’t enough. Luminor, the Blade of Light, lies deep in the belly of the underworld. Stealing it back into the realm of the living could undo the curse and restore her family, her reputation and her kingdom to life.All that stands in her way are monsters, unpredictable magic… and Aleksander, the infamous Light King himself, who wielded the blade on the night of her family’s ruin.King Aleks has spent nearly a decade trapped in the underworld. He needs Nova if he’s going to escape back to the world above, and she needs him to undo the curse.But as an ancient magic begins to unfold, their reluctant alliance blooms into something deeper – and more dangerous…Readers love What Blooms From Death!‘Obsessed!... I’m dying for the next one.’ 5* reader review‘My jaw is on the floor…A perfect balance of fantasy and romance (with some spice!), and I am sooooo in love with this book’ 5* reader review‘This book destroyed me in the best way!’ 5* reader review‘Everything a fantasy romance should be’ ’ 5* reader review‘S.M. Gaither is a master of world building, complicated characters, and tension-filled enemies to lovers stories’ 5* reader review‘The perfect slow burn romance with the best banter and delicious chemistry’ 5* reader review‘There aren’t enough stars, it’s as simple as that.’ 5* reader review

Gods have fallen. A queen is rising.And the world will never be the same.The throne of the Kethran Empire lies empty, its ruler now a god bringing darkness and chaos to the world. The line between the divine and mortal realms is blurring. The battlefield is set and a final, devastating war is on the horizon.Casia Greythorne is ready to take her place on the throne, to unite the empire and stand against the gods themselves. But to claim her crown - to save her world and the people she loves - she must confront her past and finally discover the answers hidden within it.Even though it may destroy her hope of a future.

PRE-ORDER THE SECOND BOOK IN THE IRRESISTIBLE FANTASY ROMANCE TRILOGY!Readers love What Blooms From Death:‘The perfect slow burn romance with the best banter and delicious chemistry’ 5* reader review‘S.M. Gaither is a master of world building, complicated characters, and tension-filled enemies to lovers stories’ 5* reader review‘The perfect mix of fantasy with romance… I honestly think S.M. Gaither just gets better and better.’ 5* reader review------------------------Months ago, Bellanova Halestorn brought her world back from the dead.But life is a fragile thing.The magic reviving the decayed realm of Noctaris is unstable. Unpredictable. Worse, the one who helped Nova begin to balance that realm – Aleksander – is gone, his body overtaken by the vengeful divine being known as Lorien Blackvale.As the survivors of her ravaged world look to her for salvation, Lorien offers Nova a dangerous bargain: Undo the curse that ruined him centuries ago, restore the scattered pieces of his true self, and she can have Aleks back.Desperate to save the man she loves, Nova agrees.But every step she takes uncovers secrets far more dangerous than Lorien himself. Secrets about her past, about a fanatical order hellbent on controlling the Vaeloran cycle… and about Aleksander’s true nature.Because his Light is changing.Something darker is waking.And saving her world from that darkness might mean losing him for good.

Mercenary. Survivor. Queen.Casia Greythorne's world has been shattered. Still reeling from a devastating loss and the revelation of an identity she wasn't ready for, she must now also master the strange magic that's awakening within her.But first she must lead her friends through cursed lands and the dwellings of the gods, away from the crumbling empire and the king-emperor who clutches the crown with ever-bloodier hands. All while knowing the true threat may be someone she came dangerously close to falling for. . .Elander Revenmar thought he knew who he was. He had a mission, a god he was content to serve. Then came a woman he should have stayed away from; whose life he never should have saved.Because salvation comes with a cost.And some debts must be paid in blood.

War is building. Blood is spilling. And the gods are not pleased.Casia has survived her brother's attempts to crush her but the battle is just beginning. Bitter, wounded and carrying the curse of a dark upper-god, she journeys north to the elven court in search of allies.The Court of Moreth holds knowledge, secrets - and power. The kind of power that could shift everything in her favour. But only if she can survive it.Elander is losing his court, powers and divinity. But he's determined to stand behind Casia and bring his ancient, changeable allies to her side. He lost her once. He won't do it again.His devotion to her may be what destroys him.And when that destruction comes, it could change their entire world.

The epic conclusion to the 'Shadows & Crowns' seriesCassia Greythorne has survived battles with gods and monsters and the crown is in her grasp. But the power of the dark god Malaphar grows ever stronger, threatening the future of their world before her reign has even begun.Still there is hope: a way to banish him forever has been revealed. It will take Casia and her friends into a strange new realm, where they must face old enemies and race to decipher a bewildering ancient magic.But time is short. Chaos spreads throughout the empires and the bonds between allies begin to fray. With every bloody battle, the cost of saving their world becomes clearer.Dawn is coming. But will they survive to see the new day?

Brought to you by Penguin.Get ready to discover your next reading obsession with the first book in the irresistible new enemies-to-lovers romantasy series from the author of The Song of the Marked, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo.Love blooms in the darkness...Princess Bellanova has spent years in exile after escaping the curse that cast a death-like slumber over her family. Her talents for necromancy - and thievery - have kept her alive and given her a fearsome reputation.But survival isn't enough. Luminor, the Blade of Light, lies deep in the belly of the underworld. Stealing it back into the realm of the living could undo the curse and restore her family, her reputation and her kingdom to life.All that stands in her way are monsters, unpredictable magic... and Aleksander, the infamous Light King himself, who wielded the blade on the night of her family's ruin.King Aleks has spent nearly a decade trapped in the underworld. He needs Nova if he's going to escape back to the world above, and she needs him to undo the curse.But as an ancient magic begins to unfold, their reluctant alliance blooms into something deeper - and more dangerous...(c) S. M. Gaither 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025