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.
Readers who liked this book also liked:
Sarah Tucker; Baroness Helena Kennedy
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