With her crooked spine and reckless heart, Princess Meera always knew she wasn’t meant to become queen of Ezo. But when her sister, the rightful heir, is cursed on the eve of her coronation, Meera must defend her kingdom from ruthless invaders by taking the throne. Yet, while some countries have simple coronations, in Ezo . . .

The princess must first claim a sea dragon.

Only the dragon is vicious, perfect, and whole—everything Meera is not. And if the dragon doesn’t deem her worthy, it will devour her. Turning to the Saints for help, she doesn’t anticipate that her actions will transform the dragon into a mortal, or that she’ll steal his heart . . . literally.

Now, as two hearts beat inside Meera’s chest, she’s reminded that her life is entwined with a dragon, who despises her weaknesses. Despite their differences, they must work together to reverse the curse and save the kingdom before more is lost than their stolen hearts.

Princess Meera needs magic to save her kingdom and her poisoned sister. Her gambit is bold but simple: stab a sea dragon and compel the creature to grant her wishes. But rather than getting the dragon’s magic, she gets the dragon’s heart. In Saints and Monsters, Ellen McGinty weaves a fantasy of princesses and magical creatures among a vaguely modern setting with guns and horses, parchment and cigarettes. Some readers may be left wanting resolution for a key plot turn and could debate the heroine’s unscrupulous behavior. Nevertheless, Saints and Monsters casts a vivid, well-told story that captivates reader hearts.

Best for: Teens and older fans of fantasy, dragons, and romance.

Discern: Some violence includes poison attacks on people, a child imprisoned and enslaved, domestic abuse, and others subdued and beaten; heroic characters act dishonestly by stealing and lying; an engaged woman kisses another man.