"The Fate of the Tearling," and the books that precede it, feature magic in general and magical gemstones in particular. A silver crown with a number of said gemstones is concealed at one point, and as its properties are magical, there are a number of people hunting for it, with motives both good and evil. Then there is the time-travel plot device, without which that controversial ending to Book 3 would not be possible.

In the following author interview, I am pleased with the image of the cover art on the first of the books. The image is an obvious non-verbal double-take: it is meant to resemble a crown, but it is actually a bear trap with its jaws open.

2014 Erika Johansen interview