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The Immortal Wards #1
Conjure the Bones
Not yet published
Expected 2 Mar 27
New York Times
and #1 indie bestselling author Dhonielle Clayton's adult debut novel, a romantic contemporary fantasy novel set in New Orleans, about a woman whose magical inheritance is threatened when she is pulled back into a forbidden love.
Collette Marchand never wanted to return home to the Immortal Wards of New Orleans, let alone inherit her mother’s blood-soaked business. Collette left magic and a great love behind a decade ago, hiding herself away in Boston. But now, her mother, Lady Red, the living Conjure Saint and matriarch of the most notorious Conjure House, has died for the final time.
Back in New Orleans, Téo Baptiste is stuck. He’s working at the same hospital where, ten years ago, he lost everything – his sobriety and the love of his life, Collette. Nights at the busiest ER in the city help him bury his feelings and ignore his magical destiny to take over the undead, Shadow Immortal Ward. But Lady Red’s death might be his chance to make things right with Collette again, and build a new future for himself.
When Collette is summoned back home to bury her mother, she uncovers Lady Red’s greatest the true source of her power is a stolen card from the Deck of Life. A card that, along with the family business, passes to Collette. Determined to rewrite the past, Collete needs help from the man who shattered her heart, Téo. Will Collette become the next Lady Red and rule over all the Immortal Wards of New Orleans and beyond? Or is her true destiny a second chance at love?
Collette Marchand never wanted to return home to the Immortal Wards of New Orleans, let alone inherit her mother’s blood-soaked business. Collette left magic and a great love behind a decade ago, hiding herself away in Boston. But now, her mother, Lady Red, the living Conjure Saint and matriarch of the most notorious Conjure House, has died for the final time.
Back in New Orleans, Téo Baptiste is stuck. He’s working at the same hospital where, ten years ago, he lost everything – his sobriety and the love of his life, Collette. Nights at the busiest ER in the city help him bury his feelings and ignore his magical destiny to take over the undead, Shadow Immortal Ward. But Lady Red’s death might be his chance to make things right with Collette again, and build a new future for himself.
When Collette is summoned back home to bury her mother, she uncovers Lady Red’s greatest the true source of her power is a stolen card from the Deck of Life. A card that, along with the family business, passes to Collette. Determined to rewrite the past, Collete needs help from the man who shattered her heart, Téo. Will Collette become the next Lady Red and rule over all the Immortal Wards of New Orleans and beyond? Or is her true destiny a second chance at love?
368 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 2, 2027
About the author
Dhonielle Clayton
39 books2,727 followersDhonielle Clayton is a New York Times bestselling author of The Marvellers series, The Belles series, Shattered Midnight, co-author of Blackout, Whiteout, The Rumor Game, and of the Tiny Pretty Things duology, a Netflix original series. She hails from the Washington, D.C. suburbs on the Maryland side. She taught secondary school for several years, and is a former elementary and middle school librarian. She is COO of the non-profit We Need Diverse Books. She is the President and founder of Cake Creative and Electric Postcard Entertainment, IP story companies creating diverse books for all ages. She’s an avid traveller, and always on the hunt for magic and mischief. Find her on Instagram: @brownbookworm.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy
1. That’s my bish 💅
2. She did that ✨✨✨
3. Perfect for hidden world fantasy lovers, angsty romance readers, and anyone who wants thoughtful world building.
2. She did that ✨✨✨
3. Perfect for hidden world fantasy lovers, angsty romance readers, and anyone who wants thoughtful world building.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
OK, the only issue I can find with this book is that it releases on March 2nd, 2027, and I already need book 2; this story is so fantastic it has left me hanging in the best possible way.
Dhoniellee Clayton has created a world in which she embodies show, not tell. I can still taste and smell the chicory; I can still feel the texture of the grits and the sticky wood of the hardwood floor; I can imagine the vines, the wrought iron, and everything growing. I absolutely never want to leave this world. I want to be there all the time. I want to know these characters more. I absolutely want to embody Colette and Lady Red.
The world that she created, where magic and the supernatural coexist with the real modern world in a way that absolutely makes sense. I'm so fascinated by this world and cannot wait for it to continue.
Our main character's second chance at love, the family dynamics, and the mother-daughter issues were crafted in a way that made you feel every emotion. I have never rooted so hard for a couple to find their way back to each other.
This will absolutely be a book I will be hyping in my store starting in January, and on my socials. I cannot tell people enough how truly wonderful this story is.
Dhoniellee Clayton has created a world in which she embodies show, not tell. I can still taste and smell the chicory; I can still feel the texture of the grits and the sticky wood of the hardwood floor; I can imagine the vines, the wrought iron, and everything growing. I absolutely never want to leave this world. I want to be there all the time. I want to know these characters more. I absolutely want to embody Colette and Lady Red.
The world that she created, where magic and the supernatural coexist with the real modern world in a way that absolutely makes sense. I'm so fascinated by this world and cannot wait for it to continue.
Our main character's second chance at love, the family dynamics, and the mother-daughter issues were crafted in a way that made you feel every emotion. I have never rooted so hard for a couple to find their way back to each other.
This will absolutely be a book I will be hyping in my store starting in January, and on my socials. I cannot tell people enough how truly wonderful this story is.
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October 18, 2026Was lucky to receive an e-ARC of this title releasing March 2027
This is a New Orleans inspired fantasy that is full of rich culture and characters. Bringing in the history and adding in the magical elements - it’s a witchy read with twists and turns.
Touched on themes of second chances, redemption, fate, loss and love.
A little slow in pacing for me. A bit heavy in subject matter. But well written and intricate.
This is a New Orleans inspired fantasy that is full of rich culture and characters. Bringing in the history and adding in the magical elements - it’s a witchy read with twists and turns.
Touched on themes of second chances, redemption, fate, loss and love.
A little slow in pacing for me. A bit heavy in subject matter. But well written and intricate.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews