Five weeks have passed since Io left Alante following the golden thread, yet she hasn't managed to get any closer to the god or goddess at the other end of the thread. Every day she continues her long, exhausting journey without pause, while every night she is tormented by the thought of the thread of destiny she shares with Endei – which seems to be unraveling. As if that weren't enough, Io and Bianca quickly realize they lost their main lead when the suspicious person they were following cuts the golden thread and disappears. Fortunately, not before Io gathers some important information. Her investigation leads her to a new mystery: an epidemic of sibling disappearances has struck the Wastelands, disappearances that seem to be connected to the murders in Alante. Everything indicates that the center of the conspiracy is in the Golden City of Nanzi. As Io and Bianca head towards Nanzi, they face powerful enemies, find old and new allies, and uncover a terrifying plot that began many centuries ago. The more Io learns, the more her suspicion grows that the future of the world may indeed depend on her. However, she must determine to what extent the future is her choice – and to what extent it is simply her destiny. PRAISE FOR THE HEARTS THAT CUT "The Hearts That Cut is everything I want from a sequel! In this thrilling return to the climate-stricken world of the Otherborn, Kika Hatzopoulou delivers a suspenseful mystery with high stakes and a twist that literally takes your breath away." — LESLIE VEDDER, best-selling author of The Bone Spindle trilogy "The Hearts That Cut is the enchanting and confident return to the fantastical – and utterly original – world we met in The Threads That Bind. Not a word is wasted and every sentence rings like a song. A must-read for every fan of Greek mythology and fantasy stories." — SARAH UNDERWOOD, New York Times best-selling author PRAISE FOR THE THREADS THAT BIND "With an evocative atmosphere that hints at danger, The Threads That Bind weaves a wonderful dark web of mystery, fateful love, and modern myth. You won't be able to put it down." — ALEXANDRA BRACKEN, author of Lore, New York Times best-seller "Kika Hatzopoulou's irresistible debut binds the reader with a golden thread. Masterfully weaving magic, mythology, and mystery, the book introduces readers to an astonishing fantasy world that lingers long after you’ve read the last page." — CLAIRE M. ANDREWS, author of the Daughter of Sparta trilogy "A captivating love story and fast-paced action scenes set against an intriguing backdrop of political corruption and conspiracies create a dynamic rhythm. [A] well-crafted adventure." — PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred review