THE CRIMSON CURTAIN

In the biggest con of her life, she’ll make a play for freedom and love.

A magical con artist and an actor turned revolutionary fight for freedom in an atmospheric fantasy duology where layered secrets and daring love clash on a stage of war.

On the coal-choked island of Luisonn, the tyrannical Stav Regime breeds rebellion among the working class. Firin, a face-changing con artist trained by her domineering father, has danced between fake lives to escape punishment for her crimes, until armed rebels topple the regime. With freedom finally within her grasp, she discovers one of the heroes is her former lover, Bregan, who introduced her to her second love: the theater.

As the flames of revolt settle, Firin joins Bregan on the stage. She’s determined to create a life with the honorable man she never forgot. But like the past, love and truth are hard to hide—especially when one of Firin’s victims, now President, chooses Bregan as his right-hand man. Haunted by the sacrifices of revolution, and devoted to the new government’s success, he quickly rises in its ranks…

In a web of war and false identities, Firin must choose a side. But is the price of freedom her heart?

AVAILABLE NOW

PAPERBACK

AUDIOBOOK

EBOOK

Praise for Behind the Crimson Curtain

“A steamy, epic romance with two backdrops—a revolution and the theater—that somehow work perfectly together… Both fantasy and romance lovers will fall for this book!"
- NYT bestselling author ALI HAZELWOOD

“A lyrically haunting love story masterfully woven into a world that is a historically-informed poignant mirror to our own… Fans of Erin Morgenstern, Shannon Chakraborty, and R.F. Kuang will be undone. Perfect for readers who love their fantasy razor sharp.”
- NYT bestselling author of House of Marionne J.ELLE

“This story isn't what you think, and neither are its characters. This is a thought provoking and compelling read that will appeal to readers inside and outside of the fantasy genre.”
- Wall Street Journal bestselling author CHARLIE N. HOLMBERG

I’m E.B. Golden, and I write immersive, heart-wrenching romantasy thrillers.

E.B. Golden is the epic fantasy author of The Crimson Curtain duology. She has always been a wanderer, both inside and outside her imagination. Though born and raised on the coast of Maine, she spends most of her free time exploring the mountains of southwest Colorado with her husband and daughter, and sometimes their cats. Since she could hold a pen, she’s used speculative fiction to make sense of a nonsensical world, and when she’s not writing, she’s usually traveling or coaching other writers, because the world always needs more stories.

You can find her on Instagram @ebgoldenbooks.