The Belles

'Looking for the next big groundbreaking event in YA? This is it' - Rick Riordan Now includes a gorgeous map by Virginia Allyn and an exclusive sneak peek of the sequel to The Belles - The Everlasting Rose ********************** Welcome to the dark decadence of Dhonielle Clayton's sharp tale of beauty, obsession and magic. . . I AM A BELLE. I CONTROL BEAUTY. In the opulent world of Orleans, beauty is power. And only through a Belle's abilities can perfection be achieved . . . though the results always fade. Camellia Beauregard wants to be the favourite Belle - the one chosen by the queen to tend to the royal family. But behind the gilded palace walls live dark secrets, and Camellia soon learns that her powers may be far greater - and far deadlier - than she ever imagined. When the queen asks Camellia to use her powers to save the life of the ailing princess, she faces an impossible decision: refuse the queen to protect herself and the lives of her Belle sisters, or obey, and change their world forever. Because there's a reason such magic is forbidden . . . The Belles asks powerful questions about the price we put on our bodies - and holds up a mirror to our obsession with perfection ********************** 'Sumptuous and original worldbuilding, heart-pounding plot and gorgeous prose' Samantha Shannon, New York Times bestselling author of The Bone Season 'A whipsmart writer with grand, grand talents' Roxane Gay, New York Times bestselling author of Bad Feminist 'Breathtakingly beautiful and deeply unsettling' Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author