The Bloodless Queen
by Joshua Phillip Johnson
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Pub Date Jul 08 2025 | Archive Date Jun 24 2025
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Description
Perfect for readers of Jeff VanderMeer, Chuck Wendig, and Sunyi Dean • “Richly imagined and beautifully written, with a highly original and very creepy magic system.” —R. F. Kuang (on Johnson's The Forever Sea)
On the autumnal equinox of 1987, after fencing off half of the Earth’s land for huge nature reserves called Harbors, the leaders of the world called on their peoples to celebrate. Then began the horror and the magic.
Everyone who died that day—all 132,329 of them—instead of going cold and still, turned odd and fae. They became mischievous and murderous, before disappearing into their nearest Harbor, never seen again. And each year after that on the autumnal equinox, the same terrible transformations would occur: the wretched dead not dying, but instead riddling and whispering of a faerie queen—bloodless and powerful—while fleeing into the wild confines of the Harbors.
In the present day, Evangeline and Calidore are working as fencers, government-employed protectors whose magical powers come from mysterious tattoos of prime numbers. When they aren’t fixing the fences of the Midwest Harbor that separates the human world from Faerie or patrolling on the equinox, they are parents of an almost-seven-year-old daughter named Winnie.
But as the new year’s autumnal equinox approaches, Evangeline and Calidore find themselves thrust into a vast conspiracy that stretches across governments, religions, and fencers worldwide. As they race to untangle this web of power and intrigue, they will need to confront the questions that have haunted the world since the fences were built:
What lies at the heart of the Harbors? Who waits there?
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9780756419196 |
| PRICE | $30.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 464 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Librarian 184370
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.
Reviewer 1092668
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
Talya T, Reviewer
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.
Ava J, Reviewer
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.
Summer H, Educator
What a fantastic book! The first one I have read by this author but definitely can't wait to read more! The characters stay with you long after you finish the book. Highly recommend!
Cody W, Reviewer
I need this book to already be out because I want to talk about it to everyone. Wow is all I can say right now. This was a great book.
Ruby M, Reviewer
Read if: you want to read a zombie book but the zombie are scary fae or you want a book with great lyrical writing that will break your heart
I think this book might take a while to kick in for some people but once it gets you, you wont be able to stop reading. This book was pure heartfelt sci fi/fantasy with a dash of horror and I loved it. The horror parts especially stuck with me throughout the book.
The premise of, and world building in, this book is so interesting. The set up and the academic articles throughout the book gave me just enough information to understand and appreciate the rules and logic of this world but not so much that I got stuck in it.
You sit with the characters and their ordinary life long enough to fall in love with them, and then before you get complacent, the book kicks into action and horror sequences making you wish you were back in the slice of life chapters where everyone was happy and safe.
I do wish there was more of an answer as to why the Harbours were created and more digging in to the conspiracies surrounding their creation - but they may have also felt out of place in a book that was ultimately about one family in this world, and not about the world itself. I'm just nosy, but in this case I'm perfectly happy to sacrifice those answers for the story this book focuses on. I'd also happily read another book set in this world that maybe goes into those aspects a bit more
I care about Cal, Evangeline, Winnie, and their loyal dog Tennyson so much and the ending of this book made me cry. If you love am urban sci fi/fantasy book with horror elements and a cast of characters who would go to the ends of the earth for each other, this book is for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Katie T, Reviewer
This book is a bit fantasy, a bit horror and a bit political thriller. The beginning is pretty slow and there is a lot information to absorb that ties in beautifully in the story later. These aren’t the cute happy fae, they’re murdery. It’s a really interesting premise and my eyes misted a couple of times. If you like Mira Grant you’ll prob like this too
Rachel S, Reviewer
Wow-- this was a journey, and I loved every second of it. The Bloodless Queen takes place in a world where the fae are blessed (created) one day a year, and flee to the Harbors. Cal and Evangeline, are two fencers, protectors tasked with shepherding the fae into the harbors where they progress to their queen (allegedly). The Fencers start their lives as normal people until they are marked with prime numbers and develop powers. These powers peak towards the equinox and allow them to fight against the fae who are causing chaos. The Sylvans are a religious group who worship the fairy queen and hope for the day they may become fae and can join their queen. There are really so many things going on in this story, but they all work together so well. I find this to be a very unique story and offers a lot of action with a lot of feeling. Cal, Evangeline and Winnie show the reader what love is and just how crazy things can get.
I highly, highly recommend this to anyone looking for an intense urban fantasy story. It has fun history, intense action, and so much to care about.
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