The Hidden Queen

Book Two of The Nightfall Saga

By: Peter V. Brett

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld, Michael Crouch

The second book in The Nightfall Saga, the stunning new epic fantasy series set in the world of The Demon Cycle, from New York Times bestselling author Peter V. Brett

“Heart-wrenching, smart, and modern . . . The Desert Princehas set a new standard for fantasy.”—Wesley Chu, author of The War Arts Saga

Humanity thought the war with demonkind was over. Now, after less than a generation to rebuild, the demon corelings have returned with a vengeance. The Spear of Ala—the fortress that stands at the gates of the demon’s hive—is the last bastion against the horde, and reports say it may already have fallen.

Olive Paper is expected to take the vanguard in the fight. Only an heir of Kaji can wield the artifact that opens the gates of the Spear of Ala, and as Ahmann Jardir’s child, Olive seems destined for a role as leader and savior. But Olive does not wish to follow in her father’s footsteps any more than she did her mother’s.

Darin Bales was born with supernatural senses that he struggles to process, and even those who love him believe he can barely take care of himself. Yet to save his mother from the clutches of Alagai Ka, the demon king, Darin will brave anything to mount a rescue.

Darin and Olive each strive to walk their own path but find themselves inextricably tied to the legacies of their parents and to a fated confrontation with the demon king and his new hatchling queen.

If they fail, humanity may not survive.

Don’t miss any of Peter V. Brett's riveting Nightfall Saga:
THE DESERT PRINCE • THE HIDDEN QUEEN • THE DEMON KING (Coming April 2026!)

Critic reviews

Praise for The Desert Prince

“The Desert Prince is a deeply intimate, yet epic, adventure. Heart-wrenching, smart, and modern, this book kept me wide-eyed and wide awake for many a night as I struggled step by step alongside Olive and Darin, from the green lands to the desert pits to the darkest recesses of the demon minds. The Desert Prince has set a new standard for fantasy.”—Wesley Chu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The War Arts Saga

“An intricately crafted tale of intrigue and courage where one’s station and lineage determine everything, good and bad . . . an exciting read . . . Peter V. Brett has outdone himself with this first book in a new series.”—Terry Brooks

“The Desert Prince is the work of a master at the top of his game. The new cast of would-be heroes instantly draws you into a world full of old dangers as Brett cranks up the tension to unbearable levels. If you’re going to read this book, cancel all your plans, because there’s no way you’ll be able to put it down once you start.”—Mike Shackle, author of We Are the Dead

“Peter V. Brett takes the reader with him and his characters on an electric and unrelenting charge through the demon-haunted depths of the Warded universe, full of love and death.”—Naomi Novik, New York Times bestselling author of A Deadly Education

great continuing story

Greatly written with lots of twists in the character development that make this fantastic! great way to leave us waiting for the demon king!

Great book a a great cast!

Love when a book I’ve been waiting for has a good cast! Loved it and can’t wait for the next book.

love it!

I absolutely loved the first series, thanks for making following up with the next generation and hitting so MANY points about what it is to grow up in a parent's shadow, and to not know where you belong in the world, and friendship most of all.

THANK YOU Peter!

Work of art!

I loved this book. This book series is what got me back into reading. I've probrably read 100 books over the last year or 2. Keep the content coming, Peter!

Coming of Age

Another perfect addition to the series. Watching the kids step into their own is amazing.