Queen Among the Dead
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Paste magazine's Best New Fantasy Books of January
Indie Next Pick
A stunning Celtic YA fantasy adventure set in the ancient kingdom of Eire, inspired by the legend of the first true queen of Ireland, perfect for fans of Shelby Mahurin and Adrienne Young.
In the kingdom of Eire, banshees chill the air, and water-wights lurk in the rivers. But magic is outlawed by the king, and jealously hoarded by his Druid priests.
Neve is the youngest daughter of the king, and Ronan is a Druid's apprentice turned thief, making a living by selling stolen spells. They should be enemies, but their shared hatred of the Druids—and a dark magic that has marked them both—makes them unlikely, if uneasy, allies.
When Eire is threatened by a power struggle, Neve must seize the chance to take her rightful place on her family's throne, with the help of Ronan and the realm's most dangerous outcasts. Their journey takes them to the outskirts of Eire, where magic still runs free . . . and where an outlaw and a warrior princess might carve out a future with spells and swords.
Lesley Livingston vividly reimagines Irish legends and fairytales to craft a YA fantasy adventure that will captivate readers of Brigid Kemmerer and Tricia Levenseller.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
By blending thrilling adventure with ancient Celtic legend, Livingston (the Valiant series) delivers an elevated tale of magic and strife. Gofannon, the chief Druid of the ancient kingdom of Eire, has successfully persuaded the current human Dagda, or king, Ruad Rofhessa, to confiscate all enchanted items in his domain, hoarding the land's magic for the Druids and royal family. Meanwhile, the Dagda's youngest daughter, Neve, would rather learn to fight like the legendary queen who led Neve's people to victory in battle than be a courtly lady like her elder sister, crowned princess Úna. But upon Úna's untimely death, Neve is forced to take on her duties, which include carrying out the Druids' orders. After a chance encounter with Ronan, an apprentice Druid turned thief whose livelihood is threatened by the Druids' greedy pursuits, Neve struggles to shed her royal limitations to fight against the court's unjust rule. Dense exposition stalls momentum at times, but a fierce and capable heroine, dynamic supporting characters, an original magic system, and myriad intriguing subplots will prove irresistible to fans of mythology-inspired fantasy. Ages 14–up.
