"Emanuela Ragno is about to marry Alessandro Morandi, her childhood best friend and the heir to the wealthiest house in Occhia. Emanuela doesn't care that she and her groom are both gay, because she doesn't want a love match: She wants power. In Occhia, the only source of water is the watercrea, a mysterious being who uses magic to make water from blood. When a bruise-like omen appears on their skin, all Occhians must surrender themselves to the watercrea to be drained of life. Emanuela has kept the omen on her hip out of sight for years. When the watercrea exposes Emanuela during the wedding ceremony, Emanuela fights back... and kills her. Now Emanuela and Ale must travel through the blood-red veil that surrounds their city to uncover the source of the watercrea's power and save their people." -- adapted from jacket.

Ages 12 and up. Hyperion.

Grades 10-12. Hyperion.

YF / FAN nfc