American Royals meets The Winners Curse in the first book of a dazzling duology from New York Timesbestselling author Brittany Cavallaro about revolution, love, and friendship in a reimagined American monarchy. The year is 1893, and war is brewing in the First American Kingdom. But Claire Emerson has a bigger problem. Claires father is a sought-after inventor, but he believes his genius is a gift granted to him by his daughters touch, so he keeps Claire under his control.As their province prepares for war, Claire plans to escape, even as her best friend, Beatrix, tries to convince her to stay and help with the growing resistance movement that wants to see a woman on the throne. When her fathers weapon fails to fire on the Worlds Fairs opening day, Claire is taken captive by Governor Remy Duchamp, St. Clouds young, untried ruler. Remy believes that Claires touch bestows graces hes never had, and with political rivals planning his demise, Claire might be his only ally.The last thing that Claire has ever wanted is to be someone elses muse, but she finally has a choice: Will she quietly remake her world from the shadowsor bring it down in flames?