Coming May 6, 2025

I’m on the precipice of a cliff.
One light breeze away from falling off.

At 16, Eden Fortín sees nothing but a bright future ahead of her. With a valuable promotion on the horizon, she is granted a coveted spot as a debutante alongside her wealthy friend, Fallon Riviere, an important step in escaping the sordid South Bout and securing a future with her beau, Myles Taillefer, the son of a powerful congresswoman.

But the happily ever after of Eden’s fairytale rise will be more dangerous than she realizes.

Hunter Calder, an indentured servant in the Riviere household, is far too familiar with the family’s schemes. Forced to pay off his father’s debt, he discovers a dark secret about the mysterious grimoires Cartier City uses to maintain order. However, revealing the truth might not provide the freedom he seeks.

As Eden becomes overwhelmed with the requirements of high society, her rivals uncover the means to her undoing. Just as grimoire magic works in ripples, so the ruin of Eden Fortín will be the catalyst for bringing Cartier City to its knees.

Filled with suspenseful mystery, shattered dreams, and dire consequences, the first book in this sweeping reimagining of Alexandre Dumas’ masterpiece, The Count of Monte Cristo, invites you into the resplendent world of Cartier City and will make you question everything you know about happy endings.

"If you are looking for your next obsession—search no further. Eden’s story whisks readers into a decadent world of parties and political rivalry, of betrayal and rebirth…of magic and the cost. The Betrayal of Eden is a rich, thought-provoking masterpiece that, like the story it retells, delves into the question—who are we when we have lost everything?"
—Kara Swanson, award-winning author of the Heirs of Neverland duology and Ignite

Content Snapshot

Romance: a few kisses

Violence: injuries & wounds

Cursing: none

  • "The Betrayal of Eden is a beautifully written, heartstring plucking homage to The Count of Monte Cristo. With compelling prose and magic that captures the imagination, author Erin Phillips introduces us to characters both familiar and singular, tucked inside an expertly woven tale worthy of its inspiration. Alexandre Dumas would be proud."

    Shannon Dittemore, award-winning author of Winter, White & Wicked

  • "Engrossing, enchanting, and brimming over with equal parts beauty and grit. I tore through this book with my heart in my throat. The Betrayal of Eden offers a stunningly crafted world filled with glittering halls, dark corners, and a magically infused take on The Count of Monte Cristo. I’m already breathlessly awaiting the rest of this series and the fresh, full-blooded imagination Erin Phillips has brought to it."

    Emily Bain Murphy, author of Splinters of Scarlet and The Disapperances

  • “A spellbinding retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, brimming with masterful worldbuilding, intricate themes, and an enchanting touch of grimoire magic! Prepare to be swept away into an adventure of unforgettable bravery, shattered fates, and a secret treasure that could change the world. This story lived on in my imagination long after I turned the last page. An absolute must read for fantasy and classical fiction fans alike!“

    —Ellen McGinty, award-winning author of Saints and Monsters