A Sorceress Haunted by Unforgivable Sins
A Sorcerer Caught in the Wars of Men
Their Treacherous Bond Might Be Their Ruin.
THE DREAD SORCERESS ONEIRA HAS RETIRED. She’s exhausted from fighting the endless wars of kings and queens, and has long accepted that her death is near. Alone at last but for a few whimsical companions—an near-mythical wolf, a goddess’s avatar, and a feline that embodies magic itself—Oneira realizes that she’s bored. On a whim, or perhaps at the behest of fate, she makes an unlikely trip to the most extensive library in existence: the home of her most powerful rival, the sorcerer Stearsano. By recklessly stealing a book from him, Oneira inadvertently initiates a forbidden correspondence...
Taunting notes and clever retorts reveal a connection neither has found—or could ever find—in any other. But Oneira soon learns that Stearsano, bound to a vile king, is tasked with waging war on the queens she once served. A relationship with him is far too dangerous to pursue despite their mutual desire—and yet, Oneira can’t seem to stay away. A bond with Stearsano could light the long-extinct flame of life within her… or it could destroy her entirely.
Paperback Version:
Releases June 2, 2026
"Absolutely exquisite."
– Darynda Jones, New York Times Bestselling Author
"Such an extraordinary novel! Full of unexpected love, magic, heartbreak, and healing, it completely stole my heart! I absolutely loved it."
– Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Spellshop
"Both ethereal and sensuous—and with a story as arresting as its pink-pebbled beaches and lavender roses, Jennifer K. Lambert’s NEVER THE ROSES is a fantasy as seductive (and dangerous) as the Dream through which it often wanders. An absorbing read!"
– Connie Willis, Nebula and Hugo Award-winning author
"Just beautiful. It's beautifully written. Academic, intellectual, poetic… it's everything."
– Katherine Heigl, on Never the Roses on #booktok
Two sorceresses of unrivaled potential clash to claim the greater fate and the heart of prince charming in this deliciously romantic fantasy set in the same world as the USA Today bestselling romantasy Never the Roses by Jennifer K. Lambert.
"Love, magic, heartbreak, and healing."
– Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Spellshop, on Never the Roses
Ambitious young sorceress Rose of Northbrooke is about to graduate. She’s the only known dream sorcerer of her generation and she's a remarkable one. No wonder she has a prince of the realm trailing her skirts.
But when rumors of dream magic gone awry reach her ear, Rose discovers she’s not the only oneiromancer of her generation. And she might not be the most powerful.
In a faraway cottage, Thorn has lived a simple and isolated life. She longs to be a part of the world and to be rescued by a prince who could love her with his whole heart. When she discovers there’s another dream sorceress out there who owns everything Thorn has ever wanted, she hungers even more for all she’s been denied. Everything Rose has.
When Rose and Thorn meet, the outcome is clear: only one sorceress can live out in the open and claim the prince’s loving hand… Perhaps, only one can live at all.
Deliciously messy and lusciously romantic, Among the Thorns will pierce your heart.
Coming July 14, 2026