Beyond the Shadowed Earth

by Joanna Ruth Meyer

Overview

It has always been Eda’s dream to become empress, no matter the cost. Haunted by her ambition and selfishness, she’s convinced that the only way to achieve her goal is to barter with the gods. But all requests come with a price and Eda bargains away the soul of her best friend in exchange for the crown.

Years later, her hold on the empire begins to crumble and her best friend unexpectedly grows sick and dies. Gnawed by guilt and betrayal, Eda embarks on a harrowing journey to confront the very god who gave her the kingdom in the first place. However, she soon discovers that he’s trapped at the center of an otherworldly labyrinth and that her bargain with him is more complex than she ever could have imagined.

Set in the same universe as Joanna’s debut, Beneath the Haunting Sea, Beyond the Shadowed Earth combines her incredible world building and lush prose with a new, villainous lead.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781624148200
Publisher:	Page Street Publishing
Publication date:	01/14/2020
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	1,044,097
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.50(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Joanna Ruth Meyer is the author of Beneath the Haunting Sea—described as “Epic, musical, and tender” by Kirkus and listed on Barnes & Noble’s “Our Most Anticipated YA Fantasy Novels of 2018.” She is also the author of the forthcoming Echo North. She lives in Mesa, Arizona.

Editorial Reviews

A fierce, mythopoeic tale of loss and redemption.”
—Rosamund Hodge, NYT Bestselling author of Cruel Beauty

"A wondrous fantasy of sweeping proportions."
—Anna Bright, author of The Beholder

"[A] solid and enjoyable book."
—Kirkus Reviews

“A recommended purchase for libraries in need of character-driven fantasy with a morally gray cast and divine interference, in the vein of Megan Whalen Turner’s The Queen’s Thief.”
—School Library Journal

Praise for ECHO NORTH:
* “Magic pulsates through every page... A lush, captivating new twist on beloved fairy tales.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* “A compelling, satisfying romantic adventure with metafictional undertones.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review


“A leisurely, luxurious read, suited to lovers of folklore and long winter nights."
—BCCB

"Fresh and original...this lyrical and romantic fantasy offers plenty for both YA lovers and fairy-tale connoisseurs to appreciate."
—BookPage

"A beautifully written tale of the power of love – and the power of stories."
—Buffalo News

From the Publisher

11/01/2019

Gr 8 Up—A companion to Meyer's debut novel, Beneath the Haunting Sea, this stand-alone adventure fantasy is perfect for fans of Megan Whalen Turner's Queen of Attolia and ambitious female protagonists. Nine years ago, Eda made a deal with the god Tuer to be Empress of half the world and usurped the heroine of Beneath. Now, Eda's power is slipping through her fingers. Between conniving barons and her own tyrannical sensibilities, Eda is trapped in a political quagmire that keeps her from holding up her end of the god's bargain—and may cost her Niren, her best friend, whose soul she put up as collateral for her crown. While her violent internal monologue initially sets up Eda as the villain of this story, her character quickly develops to be more than her ambitions as she interacts with a large cast of characters. The world-building is intricately woven into the political machinations of Eda's empire, with the nuances of the world's polytheistic religion raising the stakes of the story. Meyer's deft descriptions give the novel a fairy-tale quality, as Eda must fight her way through the labyrinthine Circles of the Living, the Dead, Time, and Sorrow to save Niren—and herself. After all, she never bargained on how long she would get to be Empress. VERDICT A recommended purchase for libraries in need of character-driven fantasy with a morally gray cast and divine interference, in the vein of Megan Whalen Turner's The Queen's Thief.—Emmy Neal, Lake Forest Library, IL

School Library Journal

2019-10-06
Eda has given up everything to become empress, but making a deal with a god is dangerous, especially one as clever as Tuer.

After the death of the emperor, Eda was made empress of Enduena, much to the chagrin of her (much older) advisers, who continually attempt to undermine her authority. Her first order of business was to bring back religious practices that the previous emperor abolished and reconstruct a temple in Tuer's name: She made a promise to him that if she failed to do so, she would forfeit the life of her best friend, Niren. Wracked with guilt over gambling with Niren's life, Eda is hit with another surprise when a new suitor arrives for her, Prince Ileem of Denlahn, her country's greatest enemy. Could a marriage alliance save her people from all-out war with the Denlahns and give her the support she needs to finish her temple and save Niren? This ambitious book attempts to cover a lot of ground but struggles with pacing and character development. While the world is well built, with clear rituals, rules, and beliefs, the first part drags, readers will likely anticipate the ending, and characters' behavior at times feels inconsistent. However, the second half of the book sees Eda's growth, more action, and some exciting magic. Whiteness is situated as the norm; the Denlahns are brown-skinned, and Niren has bronze skin.

Overall, a solid and enjoyable book. (Fantasy. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews