Songbird of the Sorrows: A Novel (Pre-order Feb 3, 2026)

Songbird of the Sorrows by Braidee Otto. Pre-Order now. On sale February 3, 2026.

An outcast princess turned spy embarks on a dangerous mission to infiltrate a rival kingdom—only to uncover secrets that force her to question everything she believes in, and what she is willing to risk.

Ask no questions. Obey your orders. Respect your masters. But most of all, love no one.

Spy. Thief. Princess. Songbird.

Banished from the Palace of Sorrows as a child, Princess Aella was taken in by the Aviary, a secret intelligence network spanning the Empyrieos that trains orphans to become elite spies. Now twenty-three, Aella has finally earned her place as a Songbird, the most elite rank of assassins—led by Raven, her former flame. Brave, loyal, and lethal, Raven is both her greatest temptation and her greatest liability.

Before Aella can untangle her feelings, the team is dispatched on a perilous mission to the eastern kingdom. To succeed, Aella must reclaim her abandoned title as Princess of the Sorrows and compete in a series of high-stakes bridal trials. When the trials turn deadly and the mission begins to unravel, Aella is forced to choose between unquestioning obedience and the truth she can no longer ignore.

The first novel in the sweeping, romantic Myths of the Empyrieos series, Songbird of the Sorrows is an epic fantasy of self-discovery, forbidden love, redemption, and looming war—perfect for readers who crave intrigue, romance, and high-stakes adventure.