The Reluctant Queen

“Excellent…Durst throws a lot of balls in the air but manages to juggle them deftly now that her world’s well established and she can focus on the large cast.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) on The Reluctant Queen“Durst is a very gifted storyteller with a knack for comforting prose, both qualities which make The Reluctant Queen an extremely engaging novel and one that is difficult to put down.” — SFFWorld“Durst’s Renthia continues to fascinate with its very incongruity, juxtaposing idyllic villages and cities built among the trees and the personal journey of the female protagonists with the relentless brutality of the spirits and the ruthless machinations of humans. The result is both incredibly grim and charmingly heartwarming.”— Kirkus Reviews on The Reluctant Queen“Wow, girl! What a great story! A truly wonderful fantasy novel which doubles as an allegory for our own earthly struggle between Man and Nature. Filled with fresh ideas and excitement, told with verve and heart. This book deserves a wide readership, and I think it will find one.” — Terry Brooks, New York Times bestselling author, on The Queen of Blood“Thrilling—heartrending—enchanting—absolutely un-put-down-able!” — Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author, on The Queen of Blood“Ms. Durst has penned a series that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. The characters are diverse, both in age and life experience, making this a perfect pick for pretty much anyone who enjoys a well-crafted fantasy with strong heroines and a very unique world.” — All About Romance“The Queen of Blood made it onto my list of books that I felt were deserving of more attention, and I maintain that more than ever, especially with how good The Reluctant Queen turned out….The Queens of Renthia is shaping up to be an excellent series.” — Bibliosanctum“A thrilling beginning to a sweeping series about searching for sovereignty and truth in order to save one’s land.” — Library Journal (starred review)“The Queen of Blood is full of rich tension from the opening scene to the nail-biting finale.” — Jeff Wheeler, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Kingfountain and Muirwood seriesPraise for The Queen of Blood: “Mythopoeic Award-winner Durst launches her Queens of Renthia series with a stellar and imaginative tale.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Sarah Beth Durst is the author of ten fantasy novels for adults, teens, and children, including The Lost, Vessel, and The Girl Who Could Not Dream. She was awarded the 2013 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award and has been a finalist for SFWA’s Andre Norton Award three times. She is a graduate of Princeton University, where she spent four years studying English, writing about dragons, and wondering what the campus gargoyles would say if they could talk. Sarah lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband and children.