An Embodiment of Souls
In this queer political necromantasy, a secret marriage pact for survival might undo a kingdom. As the daughter of a foreign ambassador, Rissa hoped living abroad would protect her from home’s puritanical customs where women are forbidden to walk at night or use magic except to support a necromancer’s dual identity. Alek, the youngest prince of the Memric Isle, hasn’t yet taken his Second body. Fearing he’ll be accused of sin and his body claimed as a Second himself, Alek lives piously while studying abroad, even though he’s distracted by magic—and his handsome roommate, Gable. When Alek meets Rissa by chance, his quiet life is thrown into chaos. One of Rissa’s fathers has been abducted, and Alek and Gable are witnesses. Alek and Rissa form a secret alliance to find her father and uncover the truth behind the conspiracy, risking life and freedom as they follow clues straight to the heart of the Memric Isle’s government.
Additional information
| Genre | Fantasy, LGBTQ+ |
|---|---|
| Age | Adult |
| Publisher | Hachette |
| Imprint | Union Square & Co |
| Language(s) | English |
| Format(s) | Audiobook, eBook, Trade paperback |
| Author | 0Julia Laurel |
| Release Date | 10 November 2026 |
| Release Month | November Releases |
| Author Identity | LGBTQIA+ |
| Content Rep | LGBTQIA+ |
About the Author
Julia Laurel (she/her) is a graphic designer and illustrator living in the Inland Northwest. As a freelance visual artist, she is passionate about creative self-expression. She uses speculative fiction to explore the dangers of conformity, to celebrate queer and neurodivergent identities, and to sympathize with the perceived “monsters” inside ourselves through trauma-informed horror.
