SOLVED. YA Fantasy. Strong female character with mind-reading. Magic: sets fire to convent in first chapter. Her childhood friend is a poet & face of the uprising. She falls in love with King's brother. [s]

[lookmairead]

Read in the last couple of years.
MC doesn’t know the strength of her own power or family. Her best friend dies. It’s a slow burn btwn MC and prince brother.
The brothers parents are dead (but the mother’s is mourned/more of a mystery)

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Robert]

Burning Glass, by Kathryn Purdie?

In Riaznin, it’s considered an honor for Auraseers like Sonya—girls with a rare form of synesthesia—to serve as the emperor’s personal protector, constantly scanning for feelings of malice and bloodlust in the court. But Sonya would rather be free.

After the queen’s murder and a tragic accident, Sonya is hauled off to the palace to guard a charming yet volatile new ruler. But Sonya’s power is reckless and hard to control. She’s often carried away by the intense passion of others.

And when a growing rebellion forces Sonya to side with either the emperor who trusts her or his mysterious brother, the crown prince, Sonya realizes she may be the key to saving the empire—or its greatest threat.

[Kris]

Here's the Google Books preview of Burning Glass by Kathryn Purdie - Robert's suggestion:

https://books.google.com/books?id=aQ3...

[lookmairead]

Ahhhh! Thank you! This has been driving me insane.
Happy holidays to you and yours!