ng to find your perfect match in a dating app, we bring you the “Author-Reader Match” where we introduce you to authors you may fall in love with. It’s our great pleasure to present Braidee Otto!
Writes:
Looking for a literary soulmate? Hi! I'm Braidee Otto, a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic with a passion for writing heartfelt narratives that sweep readers off their feet one page at a time. My debut adult romantic fantasy series, Myths of the Empyrieos, kicks off with SONGBIRD OF THE SORROWS, a tale brimming with espionage, trials, secrets, and just the right amount of heartbreak. It follows the story of Aella, an outcast princess-turned-spy who is sent to infiltrate a rival kingdom by competing in a series of high-stakes bridal trials. But when the trials turn deadly and her former flame - now the leader of her team - reignites old feelings, she must navigate the tangled web of duty, desire, and danger to decide whether to follow orders or risk everything to defy them.
About:
I call Adelaide, South Australia, home, where I live with my partner, two lovable dogs, and a cat who wandered into my life on the winter solstice and never left (clearly, he knew a good thing when he saw it). When I’m not writing, you’ll find me lost in a book, or indulging in my love for storytelling in all its forms - whether that’s through movies, music, or a particularly gripping TV series. I have a soft spot for cozy winter days, when I can curl up on the couch and practice digital art, or con my partner into playing a boardgame.
What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match:
• Fans of romantic fantasy who love lyrical prose.
• Must love a theme (of the both the literary and aesthetic varieties).
• Readers who love immersive world-building and myth-inspired tales.
• Those who enjoy complex characters whose secrets have secrets.
What to expect if we’re compatible:
• Ride or die besties and siblings.
• An emotional rollercoaster.
• Hidden references to art and poetry.
• The urge to throw your book/e-reader at the wall when you get to the last page, swiftly followed by a search for the sequel’s release date (I’ll save you some time and let you know DAUGHTER OF THE TEMPEST releases on October 27, 2026).
Narrator: Imani Jade Powers
Myths of the Empyrieos

An outcast princess turned spy embarks on a mission to infiltrate a rival kingdom, but the secrets she uncovers force her to decide whether to follow orders or defy them.
Ask no questions. Obey your orders. Respect your masters. But most of all, love no one.
Spy. Thief. Princess. Songbird.
Banished from the Palace of Sorrows as a child, Princess Aella was taken in by the Aviary, a secret intelligence network embedded throughout the Empyrieos that trains orphans as professional spies. Now twenty-three years old, she has finally earned her place as a Songbird on the most elite team of assassins, led by none other than her former flame, Raven. Everything about him calls to her—he’s brave, loyal, and lethal—but their relationship is also the greatest threat to her standing as a Songbird.
Before Aella can untangle her feelings, their team is sent on a dangerous mission to the eastern kingdom. Her role is crucial yet troublesome: Aella must assume her former title of Princess of the Sorrows to compete in a series of bridal trials. But when the trials turn deadly and the mission is threatened, Aella must decide whether to follow orders or defy them.
Songbird of the Sorrows is the first novel in the sweeping, romantic Myths of the Empyrieos series, following Aella through an epic journey of self-discovery, true love, redemption, and ultimately a great war that promises to upend the lives of everyone in the realm.
Romance Fantasy | Action | Fiction Adventure [ The Dial Press, On Sale: February 3, 2026, Hardcover / e-Book / audiobook, ISBN: 9798217153824 / eISBN: 9798217153848 ]
A self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, Braidee Otto combines her academic background in Literary Studies with a deep passion for storytelling to create heartfelt, immersive narratives. Songbird of the Sorrows is the first installment in her debut adult romantic fantasy series, Myths of the Empyrieos. She lives in Adelaide, South Australia, with her partner, two beloved dogs, and a cat that appeared in her backyard on the winter solstice.
No comments posted.