Kingdom of Souls

A girl with no gifts must bargain for the power to fight her own mother’s dark schemes—even if the price is her life.

Crackling with dark magic, unspeakable betrayal, and daring twists you won’t see coming, this explosive YA fantasy debut is a can’t-miss, high-stakes epic perfect for fans of Legendborn, Strange the Dreamer, and Children of Blood and Bone.

“Magnetic and addictive. This book is black girl magic at its finest.”—New York Times bestselling author Dhonielle Clayton

Heir to two lines of powerful witchdoctors, Arrah yearns for magic of her own. Yet she fails at bone magic, fails to call upon her ancestors, and fails to live up to her family’s legacy. Under the disapproving eye of her mother, the Kingdom’s most powerful priestess and seer, she fears she may never be good enough.

But when the Kingdom’s children begin to disappear, Arrah is desperate enough to turn to a forbidden, dangerous ritual. If she has no magic of her own, she’ll have to buy it—by trading away years of her own life.

Arrah’s borrowed power reveals a nightmarish betrayal, and on its heels, a rising tide of darkness that threatens to consume her and all those she loves. She must race to unravel a twisted and deadly scheme… before the fight costs more than she can afford.

Set in a richly imagined world inspired by whispered tales of voodoo and folk magic, Rena Barron’s captivating debut is the beginning of a thrilling saga about a girl caught between gods, monsters, and the gift and the curse of power.

“Masterful.” —SLJ (starred review)

• Black Girl Magic: Heir to a line of powerful witchdoctors, Arrah must find her own strength when she is born without a gift—even if it means making a deal with darkness itself.
• Forbidden Ritual: When children begin to vanish, Arrah turns to a dangerous bargain: trading years of her own life for the power to uncover the truth.
• Witchdoctors and Orishas: Explore a realm inspired by West African folklore, where priestesses wield bone magic, ancestors whisper secrets, and the price of power can be your very soul.
• Mother-Daughter Conflict: Arrah’s greatest obstacle may be her own mother, the Kingdom’s most powerful priestess, whose dark schemes threaten to destroy everything Arrah holds dear.

“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

“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

“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)

“A tough-as-nails protagonist overcomes odds stacked heavily against her in this captivating debut.” - Booklist

“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

“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

“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

“Crackling with tension, this masterpiece of escalating stakes doesn’t pull its punches.” - Rebecca Schaeffer, author of Not Even Bones