"A stolen magical gem changes a poor orphan's destiny in a Cinderella story that transforms her into a soprano opera diva. Set in 1890s Lutèce, an alternative Paris, society revolves around Talents: precious gems mined for their abilities to bestow unrivaled skills. The crème de la crème of these gems are the Elite Talents, claimed by the aristocracy and passed down through the generations by blood magic. For those unlucky people without a Talent, claiming a stake in the world has become impossible. Cleodora is one such unlucky person. For years she has dreamt of inheriting her father's Tailoring Talent, but his sudden death has left her orphaned and Talentless -- ostracized. Barely keeping her family's dress shop afloat and desperate to help her ill sister, Cleodora is at rock bottom. That's when her path crosses with that of the alluring Lady Dahlia Sibille, who offers her a deal: take on a Singing Talent and with it a life of luxury beyond her wildest dreams, in exchange for stealing an Elite Talent from one of the city's most prestigious families, the Lenoirs. Trading poverty for gala concerts and balls, Cleodora must now navigate the supercilious society that once rejected her, and in doing so discovers Vicomte Lenoir is not what she was expecting. Torn between the bewitching Dahlia and the handsome yet infuriating Vicomte, Cleodora's morals come into question. Now that she's had a taste from the silver spoon, she's unwilling to let it all go. Has she become everything she once despised, or can she prove that magic isn't the only gift that counts?"-- Provided by publisher.
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