The Queen of Blood: Book One of The Queens of Renthia

The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst is a brilliant, adventurous fantasy. The story centers around Daleina, a girl whose determination is shaped by a childhood tragedy, and Ven, a champion of the Queen who holds her secrets as close as her heart. They live in Renthia, a land held precariously balanced between the powers of humans and spirits. Together they need to find out whether the Queen is losing control or losing her integrity before the spirits break free and destroy everyone they love.

This imaginative dark fantasy is spun with such detail and emotion. The world feels like a character itself, with its twisted power struggle between human and creature. It’s full of lush description that builds a vision of shadowy forests, powerful magic, and the beauty and gruesomeness of the wild spirits. Daleina and Ven are compelling characters; we’re given years of history to connect with for each of them, to watch them grow in age, emotion, and aspirations. There is light romance, though readers may favor the friendly bond between Daleina and Ven or the unwavering loyalty between Daleina and the wolf Bayn. Fantasy fans will sink into this new series, eagerly anticipating more.