Heir of Illusion by Madeline Taylor

Heir of Illusion

The Verran Isles Series Book 1

Madeline Taylor

Zando · Print & ebook · February 10, 2026

"Bursting with angst, longing, and sizzling banter."— Stacia Stark, New York Times bestselling author of We Who Will Die An alliance between enemies.

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Who it’s for
A dark romantasy blends illusion, peril, and simmering attraction in a tense enemies-to-allies dynamic.
Genres
Fantasy Romance, Dark Romance
Published
Zando, February 10, 2026

About this book

"Bursting with angst, longing, and sizzling banter."— Stacia Stark, New York Times bestselling author of We Who Will Die An alliance between enemies. A weapon of untold power. And a bond that could rewrite fate. Fall into the viral, propulsive dark romantasy everyone is reading. A fae assassin with the power of illusion, sworn to a king she despises. An enigmatic grim reaper, searching for freedom. Enemies collide in an unlikely alliance, brimming with desire and destruction.

Continue reading

The stunning first edition hardcover will feature sprayed edges, designed endpapers, a custom-stamped case, and a premium dust jacket with metallic shine—while supplies last! She is not the pet they tamed. Blessed with the power of illusion, Iverson Pomeroy has many tricks up her sleeve. However, none of them are a match for the enchanted collar at her throat that keeps her bound as assassin and mistress to a ruthless king. Forced to play the role of his obedient pet, she plots in secret to destroy him and claim the freedom she has always been denied. She is the beast they let inside. When a mysterious reaper, Thorne, arrives in the city with his sights set on the same weapon Ivy needs—the only artifact that can remove her collar—she must decide how far she’s willing to go. And she will show no mercy. With a tenuous alliance tying them together, Ivy learns there is more to her reluctant companion than meets the eye... He sparks her curiosity and ignites dangerous desires within her. But will the secrets they harbor destroy each other? And does it even matter, when anyone who so much as touches Thorne dies? Tropes Enemies to lovers / shadow daddy / female assassin / who did this to you / unlikely alliance / he falls first / banter / touch her and die / slow burn / morally gray MMC

Dangerous Chemistry

A dark romantasy blends illusion, peril, and simmering attraction in a tense enemies-to-allies dynamic.

Come here for

  • Fae fantasy tangled with dangerous desire
  • Enemies forced into an alliance, with banter and a slow-burn pull

Expect

  • A morally gray reaper and an assassin bound by a ruthless king
  • Desire sharpened by secrets, danger, and a touch-at-your-own-risk rule

Where it sits

Dark Romance44%
Fantasy Romance34%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Romance Adventure
  • Enemies to Lovers
Authors
Madeline Taylor
Publisher
Zando
Published
February 10, 2026
Format
Print & ebook
Reading lane
Fantasy Romance