The Scarlet Ball

In Nghi Vo's captivating tale, blending The Gilded Age with gothic elements, Judith Ban—an adventurous daughter of a Vietnamese mother and a French naval officer—navigates the perilous world of New York's elite. Desperate to outrun her past, she agrees to impersonate a missing Howard granddaughter, entangling herself in a web of power, secrets, and blood rituals. As she prepares for the ominous Scarlet Ball, Judith must outmaneuver deadly games and seduce a formidable man, all while trying to survive the high-stakes season that could either elevate her or consume her entirely. This sharp narrative subverts romance tropes in a historical fantasy landscape, echoing the complexities of classic literature.