This Cursed Light
The highly-anticipated final book in The Last Finestra duology, the epic romance hailed as one of the best fantasies of the year!
WHEN THE GODS MAKE THE RULES, THE PLAYERS MUST CHOOSE: SACRIFICE THEIR LOVE TO SAVE THE WORLD OR CHOOSE LOVE AND LET IT BURN?
Six months after saving their island from destruction and almost losing Dante, Alessa is ready to live happily ever after with her former bodyguard. But Dante can’t rest, haunted by a conviction that the gods aren’t finished with them yet. And without his powers, the next kiss from Alessa could kill him.
Desperate for answers, Dante enlists Alessa and their friends to find the exiled ghiotte in hopes of restoring his powers and combining forces to create the only army powerful enough to save them all. But Alessa is hiding a deadly consequence of their last fight—a growing darkness that’s consuming her mind—and their destination holds more dangers than anyone bargained for. In the mysterious city of the banished, Dante will uncover secrets, lies, and ghosts from his past that force him to ask himself: Which side am I on?
When the gods reveal their final test, Dante and Alessa will be the world’s last defense. But if they are the keys to saving the world, will their love be the price of victory?
Awards and Praise for This Cursed Light:
Paste Magazine “The Most Anticipated YA Books of 2023
Goodreads “Our Big Preview of Fall’s Most Anticipated Young Adult Books”
Kirkus Best Books of 2023: Teen and Young Adult
Publishers Weekly – Noteworthy Picture Book and Novel Sequels: December 2023
B&N Reads “Our Most Anticipated YA Books of November/December 2023
Epic Reads “The 10 Most Anticipated YA Books to Read in December 2023”
In Between Drafts “The Best New Books of December”
We Are Teachers “Best New Books for Kids and Teens in December 2023”
★ “A rewarding, passionate, and beautifully characterized duology closer.”
—Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW
“I loved the book! Fantastic ending to a fantastic series.”
—Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Rights details
Sold in 13 territories and counting!
The Author
Emily Thiede
Emily Thiede is the author of This Vicious Grace and This Cursed Light, a YA romantasy duology (Wednesday Books/Macmillan). A former public school teacher, she serves as vice chair of the board for Writer House, a writing non-profit, and has mentored aspiring writers through the Pitch Wars mentorship program. Emily enjoys fostering rescue kittens and getting lost in the woods of central Virginia, where she lives with her family.
You can find her on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok at @ektwrites and visit her website ekthiede.com.
Emily is represented by Chelsea Eberly.