The Arrow & The Alder
by Barbara Kloss
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Pub Date May 06 2025 | Archive Date May 14 2025
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Description
Josephine doesn’t trust authority, particularly that of the immortal kith. They’re devious, cruel, and as far as she’s concerned, they deserve the curse that’s plagued their kingdom with mists and monsters. So when the High Lord visits Josephine’s village, looking for an enchanted coat—a coat she discovers buried beneath the floorboards of her home—she’s unwilling to hand it over. She wants answers the High Lord won’t give. When he threatens her family, she flees with the coat to protect them, accidentally stumbling into the cursed kith kingdom itself, and into the hands of a mysterious stranger.
The kith prince, Alder, has been imprisoned for two years, and only just escaped. He wants nothing more than to return home, but he’s a disgraced prodigal, and to show his face in the Weald Court again, he must earn back the queen’s trust. When he overhears the High Lord speaking of an enchanted coat that contains the very light stolen from their lands, he knows it’s his chance for atonement. But obtaining the coat from the mortal girl is proving more difficult than anticipated. She’s the only one who can touch it, but journeying with her could expose secrets he wants to keep hidden.
With the High Lord in pursuit, Josephine and Alder must work together, and the more Josephine learns about the coat, the more she questions everything she’s ever believed about her heritage, and the kith. Meanwhile, the curse is spreading into mortal lands, and if they don’t uncover how to release the coat’s power soon, there will be nothing left of either kith or mortal worlds.
THE ARROW AND THE ALDER is a classic, closed-door adult romantic fantasy (with YA crossover appeal). This enemies-to-lovers tale features a feisty, rebel huntress, a fugitive prince, and a curse that might consume their worlds.
Advance Praise
"This tale is a mood, an era, an aesthetic unto itself, and the first few chapters sink their hooks in fast. I know you hear this a lot, but this IS the kind of story you can’t put down." - Micheline Ryckman
"All the magnificent twists and swoony moments had me holding my breath way too often. This story is sure to be a treat for fans of the romance of Rebecca Ross, the magic of Leigh Bardugo, and the worlds of JRR Tolkein." - Bryn Shutt
Marketing Plan
Sprayed edges are available on the Whimsical Exclusive edition, but only during the preorder period.
Sprayed edges are available on the Whimsical Exclusive edition, but only during the preorder period.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781998195299 |
| PRICE | $18.00 (USD) |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Reviewer 1447682
Rebellion, curses, and slow-burn tension—The Arrow & The Alder is a spellbinding romantic fantasy that stole my heart.
Barbara Kloss has crafted a lush, emotionally resonant tale filled with ancient magic, political tension, and a romance that builds beautifully from distrust to devotion. The atmospheric world of the kith is one I didn’t want to leave—shrouded in mist and mystery, threaded with folklore and danger.
Josephine is a standout protagonist: stubborn, clever, and fiercely loyal. I loved that she wasn’t willing to bow to power or tradition. Her refusal to simply hand over the enchanted coat without answers sets the tone for a story rooted in resistance and identity. And then there's Alder—guarded, wounded, and noble in the most reluctant of ways. The dynamic between them is captivating, full of sharp edges and soft moments.
Their journey together is as much about truth and healing as it is about survival, and the curse spreading across both kith and mortal lands adds a constant, simmering urgency. The story unfolds at a perfect pace, balancing heart-racing chases with intimate emotional beats. Kloss’s writing is lyrical without ever slowing the plot, and she handles the worldbuilding with finesse, letting it bloom through action and character rather than exposition.
This feels perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince or The Bridge Kingdom—romantic fantasy readers who crave deep character work, richly layered lore, and slow-burn intensity. While marketed as adult fantasy, it has strong YA crossover appeal and will resonate with readers who love character-driven romantasy with heart and teeth.
The Arrow & The Alder is the kind of book that lingers after the final page—a gorgeous, mythic fantasy about who we are, who we fight for, and what we’re willing to risk for love and truth. I’d love to see this book get the attention it deserves—it’s an ideal fit for fantasy readers looking for thoughtful themes alongside romantic tension.
