As someone who doesn't usually enjoy fae centered stories, I was intrigued by this book because of the totally different take on this subgenre. I love that the fae were seen as these grim gothic creatures in this urban sci-fi/cli-fi world, and I found the prime-number based power system the author created super fascinating (honestly wanted more lore about it). What fell short for me was the pacing, I felt like way too much time was spent in setting the scene for the first half of the book, too much mundane bloat that resulted in the main conflict in the story being presented at the 80% mark. I found that this led to a fairly rushed final act that could have packed more of a punch if given more time to play out. Regardless I still really enjoyed the story because of the really unique concept and I'd be interested in exploring more of this world in a following book.

This is a cool book, I loved the cover and the concept itself. I struggled to get into this one. I know the writing style will not be for everyone, as it is intended to be artistic, but it was not for me. I will likely end up picking this book again in the future and giving it another chance when I am in a bit of a different mood and am ready for the length of this book, but for now this book is not for me.

I appreciate the opportunity to leave honest feedback voluntarily!

"The bloodless queen" has a very cool and interesting concept. It mixes different genre to create a story you want to read. Magic, sci-fi and fantasy, history and science meet to fuel the narrative, carried by a nice prose. Loss, change, religion, corruption, environmentalism are central themes. Again, things I was really curious about.

Unfortunately, if the basics reaaly drew me in, I quickly lost interest. The story felt like it dragged too much, and I couldn't really see where it was supposed to go. The title put the Bloddless Queen at the centre, and yes she does play a role. But no as central as I expected. I lacked important information to be really invested in the story but also the characters.

Speaking of the characters. They are well enough made, with layers, far from perfect but lovable. But here, too, I lacked a sense of direction, of motivation. I know what they care about and what their mission is, but not enough about what drives them. They felt a bit like they were thrown into a role and followed what they were supposed to do. Since I am a very character focused reader, needing to care about them, my interest fizzled out and I ended up skipping a bit.

So, a really good concept, but a lack of direction in the end, at least for me. I can still say that this was a good book, and it might appeal to readers who like to be a bit at a loss about the story they are reading.

I love a good urban fantasy, history story as much as the next gal. And I thoroughly enjoyed how heartfelt this book was!

It did take me some time to get through it, as I find long chapters quite jarring. But I’m glad I pushed through and finished!

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book!

In 1987, the world was changed. In a strange effort to save the natural world, leaders across the globe designated huge swathes of land as preserved Harbors — and in that decision, things that were unnatural became terribly real and fae descended on humanity. Every autumnal equinox since, anyone that dies on that fateful day is transformed into a monstrous, mischievous, unexplainable fae creature. Just as suddenly reality and death are altered, so too is the math that defines the universe... somehow, prime numbers hold a previously unknown great power. Those humans (called fencers) who find prime numbers etched onto their skin become almost-superheroes, gifted unique and magical abilities that make them the only ones able to face the fae and the strange Harbors each equinox. Two somewhat lowly midwestern fencers, Cal and Evangeline, live a life stretched between normality, and love, and the growing eeriness of what the fae reality is doing to the world. And in that dilemma, they must face the unthinkable. 

It is a gripping and intriguing concept. I could see this novel played out as a thriller movie, with a twist on superhero stories and on fairytales of old — the horrifying and wily fae folk. It is a story of mundane and gentle life tied inextricably with an awful reality. And it asks what that does to a person, to their reality, their morals, their choices. 

Some things throughout the novel, however, left me feeling just a little bit baffled. There were moments throughout the book that felt like jarring genre shifts... sometimes, the writing had the cerebral grittiness of a speculative adult novel... and sometimes, it seemed to spell out the morals of a children's novel. I had a hard time deciding who the book was actually catering to. And there was a lot of repetition that filled up the first 80% of the novel. I had several moments when I thought, yes, this was already explained, and not that long ago. Repetition often signifies importance, and I understand that, but this felt like lingering, like pointing with a quirked eyebrow. I wanted to say at points, trust us readers. Despite it revolving around action and horror, the book often felt quiet and unmoving (not a bad thing, just unexpected). And then, VERY VAGUE SPOILERS INSIDE THE FOLLOWING PARENTHESES... (the ending! Let me just say, there was a dog there. A dog! And no guilt lingering? Anyways.) 

In the end, this was a somewhat conflicted read for me. Sometimes I was thinking, where was the editor? And sometimes I was thinking how fascinating and heartfelt this novel was. A strange, disturbing, thought-provoking, quiet, doting tale. 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

ARC Review: The Bloodless Queen by Joshua Phillip Johnson

Joshua Phillip Johnson’s The Bloodless Queen is an atmospheric and gripping tale that blends political intrigue, dark magic, and richly detailed worldbuilding into a compelling fantasy narrative. From the opening pages, Johnson immerses readers in a world teeming with tension, where power is as much a tool of survival as it is a force of destruction.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its intricate storytelling. Johnson masterfully builds a world that feels lived-in, where every city, every political maneuver, and every whispered secret carries weight. The characters—whether rulers, revolutionaries, or those caught in between—are layered and complex, making it easy to become invested in their fates. The writing is evocative, painting vivid images of the novel’s landscapes while maintaining an undercurrent of unease that keeps the pages turning.

The titular Bloodless Queen herself is a fascinating enigma, a figure who looms large over the story in ways that are both terrifying and mesmerizing. Her presence is felt even when she isn’t on the page, making her an especially effective focal point for the novel’s themes of power, control, and sacrifice.

If there’s one challenge in The Bloodless Queen, it’s the sheer density of its worldbuilding. The novel doesn’t spoon-feed information, which is rewarding for readers who enjoy deep, immersive storytelling, but it may be overwhelming for those looking for a more straightforward narrative. Some plotlines take time to fully develop, and while the payoff is worth it, patience is required.

Overall, The Bloodless Queen is a rich, ambitious fantasy that delivers a darkly compelling story of power and its consequences. With its sharp prose, layered characters, and intricate world, Johnson has crafted a novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page. Fans of politically charged fantasy with a touch of the macabre will find much to love here.

The Bloodless Queen is set on Earth, where monstrosities called Fae live in dedicated areas (Harbours). The only humans who can step into the Harbours are Fencers - superhuman beings who have unique powers that allow them to eliminate the Fae. Much of how the Fae and fencers came to be is still a mystery. Each year on the fall equinox a supernatural phenomenon takes places where humans who die on this day, are turned Fae and must migrate from the human land to the Harbours. The Fae are such monstrosities that all humans, except the Fencers, flee to their homes and remain in lockdown, in hopes of surviving. The story centres around a group of fencers as they prepare to defend the human land on the upcoming equinox, and wrestle with the conspiracies and oddities of those in power.

The concept of this book is awesome, and the setting, history, science and magic foundational elements drew me in quickly. The combination of fantasy and sci-fi is was interesting. The familiar elements mixed with such a novel concept had me hooked right away. The story plays with themes of environmentalism, corruption, religion, faith and humanity. All in ways that fit so well with the nature of the story, creating depth. I enjoyed the writing style, it made the world and story feel approachable. There are also emotional layers developed throughout the story alongside the development of likeable characters like Cal, Evangeline, Winnie and even Sister Marla.

My primary criticisms have to do with pacing and world building. The first part of the book was really strong on both of these aspects. But the middle half of the book, I found myself waiting for critical information connected to the environment, history, magic and overall world building that had begun in part one. The focus shifted to the characters in a way that felt abrupt and a bit confusing. Large portions of the book were spent on low impact events rather than providing clarity on the magic, origins, history and even the science. I found myself questioning what the book was really about, and unfortunately many of those gaps were never clarified. Strong concept, great starting point but the world building and aspects that actually made it sci-fi/fantasy fizzled out. I think the title is misleading and this contributed to my disappointment. The Queen was such a small part of the story and I found myself waiting to understand her and the fae. There were a number of events in the last section that seemed convenient. These "exceptions" weren't grounded in the background that was given to the reader at any point in the book so they didn't add up.

I applaud the author for a very unique and compelling concept. I think if the story was more science or emotional/character forward from beginning to end, rather than trying to achieve both, it would have been more enjoyable. I would have loved more details around the magic, history, conspiracy earlier on, and particularly details that could make all the events in the last third more plausible.

5⭐️
I am speechless.
The beginning of this book was super slow but I never felt like it was without purpose. The world building was magnificent and I was on the edge of my seat every second. I’ve never read anything like this. It was creative, beautifully written, engaging, and heart wrenching.

*⚠️*
I’m NOT a book cryer traditionally but I’ve NEVER cried harder at a book. I was sobbing.

There were lots of things I loved about this book! Firstly, the concept was so unique in its blend of sci-fi/dystopian/fantasy, which really appealed to me as an avid reader of these kinds of books. I also thought the writing style felt really accomplished and enjoyed the reading experience. I suppose my main criticism as someone who likes reading a lot of high-action books is that it took an awful long time for things to actually get going. I didn’t feel like we were getting to the heart of the action until around the 70% mark which I have to say I struggled with. I also felt that the resolution could have been drawn out much more as this part conversely felt very rushed!

Came for the cover, stayed for the impressive plot. I liked a lot of what this author had going on and look forward to future titles.

A poignant and moving tale about grief, loss, and the sacrifices we make for everyday life set in a world with mysterious powers and twisted fae magics.

Urban fantasy my favourite. I loved this book, intricate, complex with fae and magic and super heroes. A nuclear family at the centre. I really enjoyed the depth of the narrative and the twists and turns of action. I do hope there is a sequel. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC

*The Bloodless Queen* by Joshua Phillip Johnson is delirious jaunt down the rabbit hole wrapped in an eerie, nightmarish package. Much like *Roadside Picnic* by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky and the *Southern Reach* series by Jeff VanderMeer, it plunges readers into a world where the boundaries between the mundane and the mystical are blurred, leaving you with a sense of dread that lingers long after the book is closed.

The novel does a beautiful job of combining our modern, broken world with the concept of fae-like forces, bringing those mythical, otherworldly beings into a realm that’s both absurd and terrifying. The story’s narration is sharp, sarcastic, and often hilarious—providing a perfect balance to the unsettling and sinister atmosphere. Johnson doesn't shy away from dropping dark humor and profanity when the situation calls for it, delivering exposition in a way that's both insightful and incredibly snarky. The wit and biting commentary kept me hooked and the atmospheric descriptions with the faerie felt like a fucked up fever dream which is a HUGE relief from the Faerie smut obsession that's overpowered the literary industry for far too long.

But don't be fooled by the humor. Beneath the clever banter, there's a thick layer of discomfort and dread. The atmosphere is downright viscous—like something sticky and unnatural that you can’t quite wash off. Cal's somewhat detached and aloof nature only deepens the sense of bleakness, as if you're observing the events from a cold, distant lens. And that’s what makes it so unnervingly effective: you’re not just reading about a strange world, you’re experiencing it like a top-down, watching over the shoulder where you feel both a part of it and completely apart from it.

The best bookish journey's are often the most frustrating, perplexing, and surreal. You might leave this one feeling a little more unsettled than when you started. The book is clever, frustrating as hell, and deeply unsettling—but that’s exactly why it works. It takes some effort to enjoy, and honestly that's the point.

Joshua Phillip Johnson’s *The Bloodless Queen* is an eerie, evocative blend of gothic horror and sci-fi, wrapped in the haunting mystique of fae folklore. At its heart, I think this novel is a deeply emotional exploration of grief, sacrifice, and the thin, shifting boundaries between the living and the dead. With its atmospheric worldbuilding and intricate magic system, the book invites readers into a world both familiar and unsettling, one where death does not always mean an end, and the mysteries of the Harbors loom ever larger.

I think the novel’s premise is as chilling as it is fascinating. One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its emotional depth. Beneath its thriller-like pacing and intricate plot lies a poignant meditation on grief and the longing for connection. Evangeline and Cal are grappling with the weight of their responsibilities. Their love adds a human core to the narrative, making their journey through political intrigue and magical peril all the more gripping.

Johnson’s writing is immersive, drawing me into a world that feels both ancient and futuristic. The Harbors, with their untamed wildness and the ever-present whisper of something lurking just beyond sight, are described with a richness that makes them feel alive. I think this novel’s magic system, is unique and unsettling in the best possible way. Pacing-wise, I think this is rewarding with moments of breathtaking revelation and eerie beauty. The novel masterfully balances moments of quiet introspection with bursts of tension, making for a reading experience that lingers long after the final page.

Johnson delivers a story that is both an intricate puzzle and a deeply personal meditation on what it means to live, die, and remember.

The Bloodless Queen is a must-read for those who love their fantasy tinged with horror, their sci-fi wrapped in folklore, and their stories infused with raw, unfiltered emotion. It will leave you haunted, questioning, and longing for more.

I have so much to say about this book that I don't even know where to start. I finished reading it mere minutes ago, after barely being able to put it down the past few days. Truly I can't wait for release day because I need so many people to read it immediately.
I don't think I've ever read a more unique or unsettling portrayal of faeries before, and I loved how terrifying and brutal they are. I'm not usually one for urban fantasy, so at first, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this book, but honestly it ended up not even being an issue. There was the perfect splash of science fiction to round it out for me.
From the moment I met them, I fell in love with Cal, Winnie, Evangeline, and Tennyson (I'm a sucker for a protective, loving dog) and I was desperate for every moment of their family that I could get my hands on.
With tears in my eyes, I beg you to read this book as soon as it releases--you'll be doing yourself a favor.