Ask no questions. Obey your orders. Respect your masters. But most of all… Love no one.
Born without breath, Aella’s life began with a solemn promise etched in fate. Ousted from the Palace of Sorrows and gifted to the Aviary at a young age, she was shaped to fit the mold they made for her.
Spy. Thief. Princess. Songbird.
After Aella completes her training and passes the Naming ceremony, she is assigned to the prestigious Alpha Flight, led by none other than her former flame. Everything about Raven calls to her. He is brave, loyal, and lethal. But love is forbidden within the Aviary.
When Alpha Flight is tasked with infiltrating the eastern kingdom’s royal trials to seek a weapon hidden deep within its court, Aella struggles with the expectations placed on her.
As old sparks reignite and the harsh realities of the realm reveal themselves, she must decide whether to follow orders or defy them.
Songbird of the Sorrows is the first title in a luscious, vividly painted, Ancient Greece-inspired romantasy trilogy by debut writer Braidee Otto.
Aella must learn to harness her powers and assemble allies to stop the cruel Prince Keres’s rise to power in book two of the Songbird of the Sorrows trilogy.
Betrayed and abducted by the very man she sought to rescue; Aella finds herself bound for the northern kingdom of Arkhadia. After a disastrous confrontation reveals she has been branded a traitor by the Aviary, Aella and Lyxander forge a tenuous alliance. Together, they flee into the northern mountains, where Aella unearths secrets from her mother’s past, begins to harness the potential of her own powers, and learns of a prophecy entangled with her own fate.
When news of Prince Keres’ rise to power reaches her, Aella and Lyxander set out to gather allies amongst the political backdrop of the Empyrieos Games. But as the Games take a deadly turn, Aella makes a desperate bid to save her dearest friend, sparking the flame that sets fire to the fragile peace the kingdoms have maintained since the God War.
Daughter of the Tempest is the second title in the Myths of the Empyrieos trilogy, a luscious, vividly painted, Ancient Greece-inspired romantasy series by debut writer Braidee Otto.
US publisher: Dial Press, February 2026 (#1), Autumn 2026 (#2)
US editor: Katy Nishimoto
AUS publisher: PRH Australia, February 2026 (#1), Autumn 2026 (#2)
AUS editor: Christine Ebbs
Primary Agent: Christabel McKinley
Film/ TV agent: DHA (Georgie Smith)
Extent: 120,000 words, ****433 pages (#1), 165,000 words (#2 - non-final wordcount)
Illustrations: Black-and-white map and chapter headings
Chilli factor: 🌶🌶
Co-agents: Chinese Bardon Chinese Media Japanese Japan Uni
Rights sold: German CBJ Hungarian Koussuth Italian Mondadori Polish Wyndawnicwo Niezwykle Spanish V&R Editoras
<aside> 🪶
‘Songbird of the Sorrows is an addictive new romantic fantasy that combines beautiful world building, a thrilling combination of heist and trials, and a toe-curling forbidden romance. Between the romantic intrigue and the unravelling mysteries, it kept me guessing until the very last page!’ – Demi Winters, bestselling author of the Ashen series
</aside>
<aside> 🪶
‘Simmering with tension and intrigue, Songbird of the Sorrows is about to become your new romantasy obsession. Braidee Otto has crafted a gorgeous tale with effortless writing and lovable characters who come alive on the page. Trials and heists, friendship and forbidden romance, secrets and banter--this has it all.’ – Nisha J. Tuli, USA Today bestselling author of Trial of the Sun Queen
</aside>
<aside> 🪶
‘An enticing blend of espionage, romance, and rebellion… With rich sensory descriptions, Otto crafts an immersive world of coded messages and whispered betrayals.’ - Publishers Weekly
</aside>
<aside> 🪶
‘Aella’s journey is deeply emotional and often painful, making her story incredibly compelling. The ending absolutely demands more.’ - South Bookseller Review
</aside>