Saint Death's Daughter: 2023 World Fantasy Award Winner!

Nothing complicates life like Death.

Lanie Stones, the daughter of crown-appointed killers, was born with a gift for necromancy—and a literal allergy to violence. For her own safety, she was raised in isolation in a crumbling mansion by the family’s mouldering revenant.

When Lanie’s parents are murdered, she and her psychotic sister Nita must settle their extensive debts or lose their ancestral home. When Liriat’s ruler, too, is murdered, it throws the whole nation’s future into doubt.

Hunted by Liriat’s enemies, terrorised by family ghosts and tortured by a forbidden love for a childhood friend, Lanie will need more than luck to get through the next few months—but when the goddess of Death is on your side, anything is possible.

"Newcomers will still find Cooney’s glittering narrative skills and vivid worldbuilding addictive, her diverse characters intriguing, and her message of justice and freedom stirring. This remarkable and richly detailed adventure is worth savoring." -- Publishers Weekly ― Publishers Weekly

“C. S. E. Cooney is one of the most moving, daring, and plainly beautiful voices to come out of recent fantasy. She’s a powerhouse.” -- Catherynne M. Valente, NYT-bestselling author of the Fairyland novels -- Catherynne M. Valente

“A delicious stew of science fiction, horror, and fantasy, marked by unforgettable characters who plumb the depths of pathos and triumph.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review ― Publishers Weekly

“Memorable prose propelled by extraordinary ideas… Twisted genius!” — Locus ― Locus Magazine

"These stories are a pure joy.” —Delia Sherman, author of Young Woman in a Garden: Stories -- Delia Sherman

"Stories of surpassing delicacy and wit, told by a lady of rare talent.” -- Ysabeau S. Wilce, Andre Norton Award-winning author of Flora's Dare -- Ysabeau S. Wilce

"Highly original, mythic in scope, lyrically told, just plain fun." -- Nicole Kornher-Stace, author of Archivist Wasp -- Nicole Kornher-Stace

"C.S.E. Cooney's Bone Swans is like visiting a literary Ys. Coaxed by her deft hand, lands and people long lost to memory resurface, breaking through the hearts of readers with the force of a gentle tsunami. Once that wave has broken over you, you are never the same." -- Tiffany Trent, author of The Unnaturalists -- Tiffany Trent

"Like one of her characters, C. S. E. Cooney is a master piper, playing songs within songs. Her stories are wild, theatrical, full of music and murder and magic.” -- James Enge, author of Blood of Ambrose -- James Enge

"It's a treasure chest of a collection, and it's full of gems.” -- Sharon Shinn, author of the Elemental Blessings series -- Sharon Shinn

“Desdemona and the Deep is an eloquent, elegant novella about power, art, consequence and change. It’s also pleasantly queer and drunk on language, which appealed to me deeply. I recommend it.” – Liz Bourke, Locus -- Liz Bourke ― Locus Magazine

“Edgy, romantic, earthy, and colorful.“ -- Amy Goldschlager, Locus -- Amy Goldschlager ― Locus Magazine