From the Publisher
★“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
Booklist (starred review)
★“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.
Dhonielle Clayton
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.
Kendare Blake
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!
Samira Ahmed
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.
Mindee Arnett
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.
Elly Blake
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.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
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.
Booklist
A tough-as-nails protagonist overcomes odds stacked heavily against her in this captivating debut.
Booklist
A tough-as-nails protagonist overcomes odds stacked heavily against her in this captivating debut.
Rebecca Ross
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 Schaeffer
Crackling with tension, this masterpiece of escalating stakes doesn’t pull its punches.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
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 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.
Kirkus Reviews
2021-01-12
Arrah is back and saving the world in this sequel to Kingdom of Souls (2019).
With the magic of multiple chieftains’ kas coursing through her, Arrah is now the only person with the strength to release the Demon King, which means she must stay away from him lest this event trigger cataclysmic events. As Arrah attempts to make her way in a world still reeling from the actions of her deceased mother and sister, she’s tormented by thoughts from the Demon King that infiltrate her mind. Added to this are surfacing memories of Dimma, the Unnamed orisha, that frighten Arrah because she does not know where they are coming from. Chapters shift in perspective between Arrah, her love interest, Rudjek, and Dimma’s memories. The stakes are high with the fate of many hanging in the balance: Arrah, Rudjek, and their friends and allies faced incredible challenges in the previous book and also in this installment, but perhaps most terrifying of all is what Arrah must face within herself. This story, with its remarkably well-spun plot twists, will satisfy readers who crave realness in their fantasies and is a satisfying, fast-paced, and almost brutal sequel that sets the stage for the third book. Most human characters are Black; some people from the North (like Rudjek’s mother) have light skin.
Intense, raw, real, and sure to please. (map) (Fantasy. 13-18)
