The Hanging City

For a young woman who wields the power of fear, humanity’s greatest enemy is her only hope in a new romantic, adventure-filled fantasy by Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg.Seven years on the run from her abusive father, and with no hope of sanctuary among the dwindling pockets of human civilization, Lark is out of options. Her only leverage is a cursed power: she can thrust fear onto others, leaving all threats fleeing in terror. It’s a means of survival as she searches for a place to call home. If the campfire myths of her childhood are true, Lark’s sole chance for refuge could lie in Cagmar, the city of trolls—a brutal species and the sworn enemies of humanity.Valuing combat prowess, the troll high council is intrigued. Lark could be much more useful than the low-caste humans who merely labor in Cagmar. Her gift makes her invaluable as a monster slayer to fight off the unspeakable creatures that torment the trolls’ hanging city, suspended from a bridge over an endless dark canyon.Lark will do anything to make Cagmar her home, but her new role comes with a caveat: use her power against a troll, and she’ll be killed. Her loyalty is quickly put to the test when she draws the hatred of a powerful troll who loathes humankind. Still, she finds unexpected friendship in the city and, even more surprisingly, love. But if everything else doesn’t undo her, being caught in the arms of a troll surely will. Now in the fight of her life, Lark has a lot to learn—about her past, about trust and hope when all seems lost, and above all, about the extraordinary power of fear itself.

Publishers Weekly

“Holmberg does a fantastic job of humanizing her nonhuman characters…This twisty adventure will have fantasy readers hooked.”

Library Journal

“Holmberg’s worldbuilding is detailed and dystopian but still possesses the same enchantment as tales told once upon a time. For fans of T. Kingfisher, this sweet story of belonging is a romantic twist on the classic bridge-troll fairy tale.”

Booklist

“A tale of love, belonging, and embracing one’s fears, Holmberg leaves readers asking who the real monsters actually are in a tale full of creative world building.”

Robert Jackson Bennett, author of Foundryside and City of Stairs

“Lyrical and striking, The Hanging City is an enchanting story of romance within a harsh world and an even more unforgiving society. Navigating class conflict, rigid social rules, and bitter hierarchies, The Hanging City explores the many types of love that people can find between one another, and is as unsparing in its depiction of the consequences of love as it is thrilling, rewarding, and heart-felt.”

Tricia Levenseller, New York Times bestselling author of Blade of SecretsPraise for Charlie N. Holmberg

“Holmberg’s latest is rife with forbidden romance, monsters, and unique world building. Not only will readers enjoy delving deep into the canyons the trolls call their home, but Lark’s journey will also leave a mark deep on their hearts.”

Publishers Weekly

“Holmberg knows just how to please fantasy fans.”

Booklist

“Holmberg is a genius at world building.”

Brandon Sanderson, author of Mistborn and The Way of Kings

“Charlie is a vibrant writer with an excellent voice and great world building.”

From the Publisher

I’m a sucker for a fairy tale. And no one can do “once upon a time” better than Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg. I knew from the very beginning of The Hanging City, Holmberg’s newest romantic fantasy, that I was about to have a magical reading experience. The human woman Lark is on the run. Cast out and reviled by her own kind because of the terrifying abilities she exhibits, she is desperately seeking somewhere to belong. Her last hope is with the trolls—the sworn enemies of humans—a powerful warrior species she’s hoping will see the use in a woman who can wield fear itself. Unexpectedly, she finds more than a home when she falls for a troll who doesn’t scare so easily. It’s surprisingly simple to understand why Lark swoons over this particular troll, even with his green-tinted skin, massive size, and tusks. That doesn’t mean their path is simple. Despite Lark’s usefulness, trolls don’t trust humans, and forbid cross-species relationships. And Lark’s despot father isn’t willing to let her go so easily. He’s planning all-out war, with Lark caught in the middle. But like the best fairy tales, this book is just as much about the fantastical journey as it is about the happily-ever-after. —Adrienne Procaccini, Editor

About the Author

Charlie N. Holmberg is a Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author of fantasy and romance fiction, including the Paper Magician series, the Spellbreaker series, and the Whimbrel House series, and writes contemporary romance under C. N. Holmberg. She is published in more than twenty languages, has been a finalist for a RITA Award and multiple Whitney Awards, and won the 2020 Whitney Award for Novel of the Year: Adult Fiction. Born in Salt Lake City, Charlie was raised a Trekkie alongside three sisters who also have boy names. She is a BYU alumna, plays the ukulele, and owns too many pairs of glasses. She currently lives with her family in Utah. Visit her at www.charlienholmberg.com.

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