Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. It’s a tremendously fun thing to be because you have an excuse to gallivant through the 2016 releases (and probably buy far too many books). It’s also fantastic fun to head over to the official page and check out the link up to what everyone else is waiting on!

This week I’m waiting on . . .

 The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst

Book number one in The Queens of Renthia series

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Pages: 368 {hardback} 

An idealistic young student and a banished warrior become allies in a battle to save their realm in this first book of a mesmerizing epic fantasy series, filled with political intrigue, violent magic, malevolent spirits, and thrilling adventure

Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . .

But the spirits that reside within this land want to rid it of all humans. One woman stands between these malevolent spirits and the end of humankind: the queen. She alone has the magical power to prevent the spirits from destroying every man, woman, and child. But queens are still just human, and no matter how strong or good, the threat of danger always looms. 

With the position so precarious, young women are chosen to train as heirs. Daleina, a seemingly quiet academy student, is under no illusions as to her claim to the throne, but simply wants to right the wrongs that have befallen the land. Ven, a disgraced champion, has spent his exile secretly fighting against the growing number of spirit attacks. Joining forces, these daring partners embark on a treacherous quest to find the source of the spirits’ restlessness—a journey that will test their courage and trust, and force them to stand against both enemies and friends to save their land . . . before it’s bathed in blood.

RELEASE DATE: 20th September 2016

// PRE-ORDER //

Despite having an underwhelming cover, I’m actually really excited for this book because I think it sounds right up my alley. The dark themes and magic in this story are sure to keep me entertained. One thing that does have me super excited is a little something that you can see in the cover: if you take a closer look at the background just under the author’s name and in between the trees you’ll see these buildings built on the cliff face. I don’t know why, but whenever I see cool buildings like that built into cool places my brain immediately kicks into high fantasy mode and I start imagining elves everywhere.

Overall I think the premise of the book sounds really promising and anything that couples magic and academies together has got to be a winner, right?

// GOODREADS // PRE-ORDER //

 What are you waiting on?

~~ Kirstie ~~

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