SOLVED. YA Fantasy read 2011/2012 Similar to Gracelings Series; black cover. [s]

[Tacoglitter]

Set in medieval ish times about a girl living in a castle. I remember her thinking she's just a lady in waiting but really she's the princess. Dark, too, like the Graceling series (definitely shorter though). Black cover, and definitely one of those single word titles. Like ember or something. It's gonna drive me crazy. Evil queen. Powers??? Hint of romance. I remember it ending with escaping through tunnels or something and like a forest? Pretty sure there was something about a locket. Poison. Trolls?? I remember the main protagonist being described as like sickly & frail, pale, black hair, dark eyes, that vibe.

[Cupcakedoll]

Maybe?

[Tash]

this is a complete random guess - shadow queen?

[Tacoglitter]

Cupcakedoll wrote: " Maybe?"

This seems really close! Could be! If you remember the book really well and can match: I just remembered something! The queen was really jealous of her beauty. Kind of like in Cinder/Red Queen even though throughout the book she is described as sort of sickly and grayish, had something to do with magic I believe. Though, reading the synopsis, I don't remember wandering through the forest to be such a big chunk of the plot.

[Tacoglitter]

Natasha wrote: "this is a complete random guess - shadow queen?"

I actually think y'all found it. My mind is kind of blown right now. I'm not 100% sure.

[Cupcakedoll]

I don't remember the queen being jealous of her beauty in Shadow, so I think the other one is your best bet1

[Rainbowheart]

Natasha, who is the author for your suggestion?

There are several matching titles.