Regulus. Narcissa. Bellatrix. Sirius. Four members of The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. Four destinies intermingled, paths crossing variously with a dark lord and one very lucky boy wizard. Perhaps it is the inevitable inertia, the slope of the world that tilts an esteemed, pureblood family into conflict with itself - no viciousness, however finely cultivated, however fiercely pruned, can last without slowly tearing itself apart. The magic this family has created or perfected has changed the shape of magic in England and across Europe, but not without a small cost. The last thirty years have brought numerous subtle changes to the shape of the Black family tree that at first go unnoticed - a death here, a banishment there. But it is not long before whole branches will show signs of these changes. Those who knew them all would say that they had seen the mark on each of their faces; in the rebellion of Regulus; the resignation of Narcissa; the gleeful malice of Bellatrix; the arrogance and fearsome loyalty of Sirius. But not even the most talented tasseomancer, the most adept astrologer, could have foreseen the final growths of this family tree.

released August 4, 2017