A lush and romantic fantasy debut in which two rivals studying at the world's premier university of magical art must battle to win an art competition that could change their lives - while unconvering a secret that could change the world...
All's fair in love and art.
At Xenra, the world's top magic painting university, blending art and the arcane is commonplace. But for Ayla, a homesick immigrant, commonplace isn't good enough. She needs to secure a lucrative patronage so she can afford treatment for her dying mother. When Xenra cancels her scholarship, she'll do anything to stay - including asking her privileged rival Constantine to team up for a painting competition that would guarantee her tuition. But there can only be one winner, and Ayla will have to beat him in the final round.
Her best chance at winning comes in the form of a mysterious canvas she finds hidden in the school, one that can turn anything painted on it into reality. It's a power that could change the art market, and perhaps the world - but she isn't the only one who's discovered it. Constantine, desperate to rejoin his powerful family after being disowned, is working on the canvas, too. They collaborate separately, passing wordless confessions through anonymous brushstrokes, all while butting heads on their joint project.
As her mother's condition worsens and Constantine's family threatens their shot at the competition, Ayla needs to solve the mysteries of the canvas and secure her win, once and for all. But unravelling century-old secrets risks the very fate of her people, and Ayla and Constantine must each decide if winning is truly worth selling out this magic ... and each other.
Madder Lakeis a spellbinding romantic fantasy debut - perfect for fans of Ava Reid, Alix E. Harrow, and Erin Morgestern.