Isabelle Mongeau is a freelance writer and editor in Atlanta, Georgia. Her work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and published in Bayou Magazine, Litbreak Magazine, The Merrimack Review, Cleaver Literary Magazine, Alloy Literary Magazine, and Living Springs Publishers. She earned her MSt in creative writing from the University of Cambridge, and a BA in English/creative writing and film studies from Emory University. The Debtor's Game is her first novel.

"Dark, dangerous, and deadly, The Debtor's Game is a gorgeous treat to read, with sensual and atmospheric prose. I could not put this book down. Heart-wrenching yet hopeful, it is a story of triumph, of defying the odds, of fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves. Isabelle Mongeau is a striking new voice in fantasy."--Lindsay Straube, bestselling author of Kiss of the Basilisk

"A darkly enchanting story of fae debts and treacherous courtly intrigue, The Debtor's Game draws you into a world where every choice carries a devastating consequence and every twist is more shocking than the last. With a protagonist grappling with torn loyalties and conflicting desires, and a narrative brimming with political games and morally complex characters, this is a must-read for fans of fantasy."--Braidee Otto, author of Songbird of the Sorrows

"Led by a complex, clever, and uniquely fascinating heroine, The Debtor's Game is a gripping, darkly lush fantasy tale that intertwines obsession, twisted loyalties, and political intrigue. You won't want to put this one down."--Kate Golden, bestselling author of A Dawn of Onyx

"Isabelle Mongeau crafts a visceral world where debt rules all and agency is a game of sacrifice, allyship, and plumbing the depths of one's own capacity for torment. Profoundly dystopian and grounded by resilient characters, The Debtor's Game is fantasy at its most hard-hitting."--Shalini Abeysekara, Sunday Times bestselling author of This Monster of Mine

"An utterly magnificent debut . . . Isabelle Mongeau has crafted a brutal world with a breakneck, unpredictable plot that is perfectly balanced with poignant prose and characters you wish to pluck from the pages to safety. . . . Perfect for fans of darkly twisted court politics, morally gray characters, and a whole heaping of female rage."--Hazel McBride, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Fate Forged in Fire

"Seductive and merciless, The Debtor's Game turns fae politics into something intimate and dangerous. Mongeau's world simmers with tension, moral complexity, and a heroine whose journey is filled with unexpected twists, power, and desire."--Jean Kwok, author of Dominion

"Mongeau creates a strong and sympathetic character in Avery, who will resonate with many, and employs complex worldbuilding, intricate plotlines, and dangerous court politics that will hook readers from page one. . . . Stunning from beginning to end."--Library Journal, starred review

"This delightful page-turning debut builds a world ripe for many more adventures."--Booklist

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Pub date: 2026-03-03

Length: 528 pages