Description:
In Wisteria, the very act of innovation is forbidden. Any creation--art, music, engineering--conjures a demon from the other side. The greater the innovation, the more dangerous the demon.
This has never stopped Aurelie from inventing--but it has made it more difficult. Her inventions are small by necessity, producing demons that she is capable of dispatching alone. But she knows she's meant for something greater, and each day has her chafing more at the boundaries of her society.
Destrier lost his parents to demons as a child, and has devoted his life to preventing more senseless murder at the hands of demons. He was young when he joined the hunters, and each year he's grown stronger. But it's never enough.
When a mysterious figure offers Aurelie a job she can't refuse--an impossible, magnificent invention--her decision to accept sets off a chain of events that will alter every aspect of their world... and sparks the connection that will change both Aurelie and Des irrevocably.
With the fierce enemies-to-lovers romance of Heartless Hunter and the high-concept worldbuilding of Arcane, The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake will thrill readers looking for their new cross-genre favorite.
Brief description:
Mara Rutherford began her writing career as a journalist but quickly discovered she far preferred fantasy to reality. Originally from California, Mara has since lived all over the world with her Marine-turned-diplomat husband. A triplet born on Leap Day, Mara holds a master''s degree in cultural studies from the University of London. When she''s not writing or chasing after her two sons, she can usually be found pushing the boundaries of her comfort zone, whether at a traditional Russian banya or an Incan archaeological site.
Mara Rutherford resides in Rome, Italy
Review Quotes: "Perfect for fans of dark academia. A moody city, a hundreds year old curse, and a demon hunter who falls for a young innovator creating demons. Darcy and Lizzie level tension! I couldn't put it down." -- K.A. Linde, New York Times bestselling author of The Wren in the Holly Library
"A whimsically atmospheric, wonderfully imaginative fantasy full of romance, intrigue, and danger. I was captivated."--Ava Reid, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning "Immersive, heartrending, and--dare I say--wonderfully inventive, turning the pages of The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake is like sipping from a mug of hot tea: full of warmth and perfect for a chilly day."
--Rachel Moore, author of Us in Ruins and The Library of Shadows "The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake has an old world setting with a whimsical twist. It's a magnificently romantic tale where creativity comes at a cost and nothing is as it seems. I loved every enchanting and spellbinding moment." --Autumn Krause, author of Grave Flowers "Aurelie is a refreshing mix of ambition, spunk, and defiance, certain in her smarts but still willing to change course when necessary. The final sequence is a breathless rush of brutal demon fighting and heartbreaking sacrifice, setting up a sequel that will surely be eagerly awaited by readers." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "An exciting gaslamp fantasy." -Publishers Weekly "Rutherford's writing and world building shine in this romantasy... With a sharp twist, an eerie and clever setup, and an enthralling mix of themes, this duology starter nicely establishes an expansive story focusing on the price of creation, the danger of suppression, and the courage to hope for freedom in a world that fears innovation."--Booklist