{"product_id":"locusta-the-poisoned-empire-duology-by-emily-dexter","title":"Locusta, The Poisoned Empire Duology by Emily Dexter","description":"\u003cp\u003eSome women are remembered as monsters because the men writing the history couldn't bear to call them powerful. Locusta, The Poisoned Empire Duology by Emily Dexter takes one of ancient Rome's most notorious poisoners and gives her a story of her own. Born in Gaul, she is the last of her Druid line, with a spirit-given gift for knowing exactly what can heal and what can kill. When Roman soldiers destroy her home, she is taken into the glittering, dangerous heart of the empire, where she learns to survive with Arawn, god of death, as her guide. Part historical fantasy, part slow-burn sapphic romance, this first book in the duology is for anyone who loved \u003cem\u003eCirce\u003c\/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003eThe Lost Apothecary\u003c\/em\u003e and wants a darker, fiercer heroine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e✨ Features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBook one of the Poisoned Empire duology by Emily Dexter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHistorical fantasy set in ancient Rome and Gaul\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDruid magic, spirit-world communion, and the Celtic god of death, Arawn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSapphic romance that builds from tender to steamy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThemes of revenge, survival, and feminine rage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e🌟 Magical + Practical Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRead by candlelight for a moody, atmospheric evening\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePair with an herbal tea while you read about Locusta's botanical knowledge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse as inspiration for shadow work and reclaiming your own power\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGift to a fan of mythic retellings and morally gray heroines\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStart a book club conversation on power, history, and who gets to tell the story\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e💖 Why You'll Love It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a story that lets its heroine be dangerous and tender at the same time. Locusta's gift is a double-edged one, and watching her turn grief into strategy, and then find love in the middle of it, is deeply satisfying. If you're drawn to mythic retellings, herbalism, ancestral magic, and women who refuse to shrink, this one is worth staying up too late for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e🛍️ Complete the Ritual\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSet the mood with our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mylittlemagicshop.com\/products\/satya-dragons-blood-incense-sticks\"\u003eSatya Dragon's Blood Incense Sticks\u003c\/a\u003e for protective, resinous atmosphere, grind your own herbs in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mylittlemagicshop.com\/products\/wooden-mortar-pestle\"\u003eWooden Mortar Pestle\u003c\/a\u003e for an apothecary-inspired altar, or keep our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mylittlemagicshop.com\/products\/kunzite-crystal\"\u003eKunzite Crystal\u003c\/a\u003e nearby for the love story at the heart of the book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e❓ FAQs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a standalone or part of a series?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt's the first book in a duology, so the story continues in a second book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs there romance in this book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It features a sapphic love story that moves from sweet to spicy, so it's best suited to adult readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho is Locusta?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLocusta is drawn from a real historical figure, an infamous poisoner in ancient Rome, reimagined here as a Druid with a dangerous spirit-given gift.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a good gift?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAbsolutely. It's a great pick for anyone who loves mythic retellings, historical fantasy, or stories about powerful women.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":67745966588146,"sku":"9798318604027","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0537\/5282\/3995\/files\/Locusta_The_Poisoned_Empire_Duology_by_Emily_Dexter.png?v=1792112572","url":"https:\/\/mylittlemagicshop.com\/products\/locusta-the-poisoned-empire-duology-by-emily-dexter","provider":"My Little Magic Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}