Crown & Captive
Kathleen Kitt
G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Ages 14+
Available December 1, 2026

Lady Elysia’s life has taken a major turn. After a short-lived and failed war of independence, she has been forced to leave her home in the kingdom of Miral to be a servant in the royal castle in the ruling state of Tannic. But when she discovers a plot against Prince (soon to be King) Daxon, she bargains for her freedom in exchange for catching a traitor. But catching royal conspirators is harder than it seems, especially when her heart begins to get in the way of her loyalty to her kingdom.

Romance, fantasy, and a mystery with a steadily ticking countdown to disaster meet in this female-led story. Kitt’s novel is packed full of classic romantasy tropes, with balls and dungeons and a handful of handsome princes to seal the deal. Female friendship and empowerment is also a common theme, and Elysia never wavers in the belief that her destiny is to be the rightful ruler of a free Miral.

A new entry in the forever-growing romantasy category, Crown & Captive has the potential to charm readers familiar with the genre, as well as those new to it.