Praise for Reaper of Souls : ★“Romance, magic, and strategic diplomacy come at a pace that offers no time to look back. Hand this to lovers of kingdom fantasy. It’s sure to please.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Barron once more expertly paces her plot twists. This novel continues the epic proportions of the last in another high stakes West African–inspired fantasy where anyone, even the orishas, can die.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“This story, with its remarkably well-spun plot twists, is a satisfying, fast-paced, and almost brutal sequel. Intense, raw, real, and sure to please.” — Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Kingdom of Souls : “Magnetic and addictive, Kingdom of Souls turns ambition into sacrifice and blood into power. Magic is always worth the price—and the pain—and this book is black girl magic at its finest.” — Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles
“I couldn’t get enough of Kingdom of Souls . Wonderfully written, and full of dark magic and danger, it was a story I couldn’t wait to escape into. Highly recommended!” — Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series
★ “Masterful. From start to finish, this magical debut is not to be missed.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Powerful. Captivating. Heart-wrenching. Rena Barron has crafted a thrilling, twisty, unputdownable epic about a complex, brave young woman who must find the true magic within herself in order to fight for her family, her people, and her life.” — Samira Ahmed, New York Times bestselling author of Love, Hate & Other Filters and Internment
“A tough-as-nails protagonist overcomes odds stacked heavily against her in this captivating debut.” — Booklist
“Barron’s lush prose and boundless imagination enchant the reader with a vivid world, compelling characters, and twists to keep you reading all night. Kingdom of Souls spellbinds with fresh and dazzling magic.” — Elly Blake, New York Times bestselling author of Frostblood
“Set in a lushly drawn and fresh magical world, Kingdom of Souls was a wild, heart-wrenching ride. Every turn took me by surprise, and these unforgettable characters face a complex evil that threatens from both without and within. Readers won’t be able to put this one down.” — Mindee Arnett, award-winning author of Onyx & Ivory
“Lush, captivating, and full of my favorite things: a vivid world, a cast of compelling characters, and a young heroine ready to rise and fearlessly fight for her beliefs. This powerful coming of age story lingers long after the final page.” — Rebecca Ross, author of The Queen’s Rising
“Crackling with tension, this masterpiece of escalating stakes doesn’t pull its punches.” — Rebecca Schaeffer, author of Not Even Bones
“Driven by intricate mythology with meddlesome, vengeful gods. Fantasy fans will find a refreshing, beautifully crafted setting in this novel.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Praise for Kingdom of Souls : “Magnetic and addictive, Kingdom of Souls turns ambition into sacrifice and blood into power. Magic is always worth the price—and the pain—and this book is black girl magic at its finest.
Praise for Reaper of Souls : ★“Romance, magic, and strategic diplomacy come at a pace that offers no time to look back. Hand this to lovers of kingdom fantasy. It’s sure to please.
Booklist (starred review)
I couldn’t get enough of Kingdom of Souls . Wonderfully written, and full of dark magic and danger, it was a story I couldn’t wait to escape into. Highly recommended!
Powerful. Captivating. Heart-wrenching. Rena Barron has crafted a thrilling, twisty, unputdownable epic about a complex, brave young woman who must find the true magic within herself in order to fight for her family, her people, and her life.
Set in a lushly drawn and fresh magical world, Kingdom of Souls was a wild, heart-wrenching ride. Every turn took me by surprise, and these unforgettable characters face a complex evil that threatens from both without and within. Readers won’t be able to put this one down.
Barron once more expertly paces her plot twists. This novel continues the epic proportions of the last in another high stakes West African–inspired fantasy where anyone, even the orishas, can die.”
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Barron’s lush prose and boundless imagination enchant the reader with a vivid world, compelling characters, and twists to keep you reading all night. Kingdom of Souls spellbinds with fresh and dazzling magic.
A tough-as-nails protagonist overcomes odds stacked heavily against her in this captivating debut.
A tough-as-nails protagonist overcomes odds stacked heavily against her in this captivating debut.
Crackling with tension, this masterpiece of escalating stakes doesn’t pull its punches.
Lush, captivating, and full of my favorite things: a vivid world, a cast of compelling characters, and a young heroine ready to rise and fearlessly fight for her beliefs. This powerful coming of age story lingers long after the final page.
2023-03-29Kingdom of Souls (2019).
Arrah, romantic interest Crown Prince Rudjek, and their friends are where readers left them in Reaper of Souls (2021): searching for the tribal people. Arrah is also grieving her decision to give up the chieftains’ kas and her subsequent loss of longed for magical ability. When they finally discover the tribal people’s hiding place, the latter aren’t pleased to hear of Arrah’s surrendered magic, as it was also the key to their safety from the demons who want to consume their souls. Even without this magic, however, Arrah is determined to help keep her people safe, but there’s not much she can do without this power—or is there? The point of view shifts among Arrah; Efiya, her half-demon sister; Daho, the Demon King; and others, although Daho’s is the only viewpoint that does not unfold concurrently with the others. Once again, Barron skillfully weaves plot twists into the narrative, the greatest of which may surprise even astute readers. Readers who made it through the losses of the second book, in particular, will be rewarded with an ending that feels earned. This is a happy conclusion to a complex and engrossing series centering Black characters that makes the sometimes heart-rending journey worth it, both for the cast members and readers.
Satisfying and hopeful. (map) (Fantasy. 13-18)
I couldn’t get enough of Kingdom of Souls . Wonderfully written, and full of dark magic and danger, it was a story I couldn’t wait to escape into. Highly recommended!”
#1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Kendare Blake
