A River of Royal Blood

Two sisters must fight to the death to win the crown in this first installment of a gripping, action-packed duology set in an ancient North African-inspired fantasy world. Now in paperback.

Sixteen-year-old Eva is a princess, born with the magick of blood and marrow--a dark and terrible magick that hasn't been seen for generations in the vibrant but fractured country of Myre. Its last known practitioner was Queen Raina, who toppled the native royalty and massacred thousands, including her own sister, eight generations ago, thus beginning the Rival Heir tradition. Living in Raina's long and dark shadow, Eva must now face her older sister, Isa, in a battle to the death if she hopes to ascend to the Ivory Throne--because in the Queendom of Myre only the strongest, most ruthless rulers survive.

A River of Royal Blood is an enthralling debut set in a lush ancient North African inspired fantasy world that subtly but powerfully challenges our notions of power, history, and identity.

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Praise for A River of Royal Blood:

"Joy's debut has all the trappings of a riveting fantasy novel: enviable world building, elements of magic, and scintillating glimpses of a powerful backstory...not to mention a slow-burning romance sure to get readers swooning...Gripping political intrigue and cinematic action." Booklist, starred review

"A sibling rivalry like nothing you ve ever read before. Joy weaves a dark yet delicate treatise on race, heritage, and power whilst never losing that addictive just one more chapter allure. I devoured it in one sitting!" Natasha Ngan, New York Times bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire

"A dark and bloody delight of a debut, Amanda Joy's A River of Royal Blood is a seductive tapestry of extraordinary magick delving into the terrifying lengths we will go to claim our destiny." Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles

The world of this book is fascinating, the characters and the ir relationships are compelling, and that plot twist wow! Readers of fantasy will enjoy it immensely. VOYA

A surprising twist and multiple unsolved mysteries will leave readers looking forward to the next book. . . A compelling debut. Kirkus Reviews

[A] fast-paced magical adventure. . . Filled with mythical creatures, ancient traditions, sibling rivalries, political intrigue, and epic world-building, this book stands out as a masterful adventure. School Library Journal

Joy creates a complex, intriguing fantasy world. . . [Readers] will enjoy exciting fight scenes and a variety of abilities reminiscent of Kristin Cashore s Graceling trilogy. The Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books

[This] engrossing, North African inspired series opener draws effectively on real-world prejudices to inform [a] richly created universe. Publishers Weekly

A dark and complex fantasy of bloodlust and rich imagination. . . Fascinating characters, bo th regal and warrior-like, fill the narrative, and the pageantry is richly detailed in a swirling cacophony of colors, dance, and swordplay...This first book in a series is riveting...[and] will leave readers wanting more. School Library Connection