The Barbed Coil

The acclaimed author of The Book of Worlds trilogy presents a new fantasy saga of royal intrigue in a magical world.

Young and rootless Tessa McCamfrey is struggling to find her purpose in life—until she stumbles upon a ring that transports her to a distant time and place. There she discovers her unexpected talent: She can creates magical illustrations that have the power to influence others' lives. Tessa becomes involved in the fate of kingdoms when her power is brought to bear against an evil king whose mind has been taken over by a golden crown called the Barbed Coil.

As in The Book of Words trilogy, J. V. Jones conjures a fascinating world full of rich characters, from the dashing mercenary Ravis, who becomes Tessa's protector, to the sailors, innkeepers, soldiers, and other peculiar people she encounters.