The Orphan Queen - by Jodi Meadows (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

An epic fantasy filled with adventure, intrigue, and romance from the New York Times bestselling coauthor of My Plain Jane, perfect for fans of Graceling by Kristin Cashore, The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson, and Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo.

When Princess Wilhelmina was a child, the Indigo Kingdom invaded her homeland. Ten years later, Wil and the other noble children who escaped are ready to fight back and reclaim Wil's throne. To do so, Wil and her best friend, Melanie, infiltrate the Indigo Kingdom palace with hopes of gathering information that will help them succeed.

But Wil has a secret--one that could change everything. Although magic has been illegal for a century, she knows her ability could help her save her kingdom. But magic creates wraith, and the deadly stuff is moving closer and destroying the land.

And if the vigilante Black Knife catches her using magic, she may disappear like all the others....

• Enemies to Lovers: He's the mysterious vigilante hunting magic-users. She's a princess whose forbidden power is the only thing that can save her people. When their paths cross, sparks fly--and blades clash.
• Hidden Identity: To the world, she's a refugee duchess. In the shadows, she's an orphan queen leading a band of spies. One misstep could expose her secrets and cost her the throne she's fighting to reclaim.
• High-Stakes Espionage: Wil must walk the gilded halls of her enemies' palace, stealing secrets and planting lies, all while hiding in plain sight. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more deadly the game becomes.
• Magic with a Price: In a world where magic is outlawed, Wil's power is both a gift and a curse. Every spell she casts creates wraith, a toxic byproduct that corrupts the land and creates monstrous beasts.

Review Quotes

Praise for INCARNATE: "The romance is captivating, as are the questions raised by the reincarnations. [...]This would be a thought-provoking choice for anyone who is looking to move beyond vampires, werewolves, and angels." - School Library Journal (starred review)

"An absorbing fantasy." - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

"INCARNATE has an eerie and intriguing premise and I am looking forward to seeing where Jodi Meadows takes it next." - Robin McKinley, bestselling and Newbery Award winning author of The Hero and the Crown, Spindle's End, Dragonhaven, and Pegasus

"Lyrical and thought-provoking, INCARNATE is the kind of book that stays with you long after you've turned the last page. I loved it!" - Rachel Hawkins, New York Times Bestselling author of Hex Hall and Demonglass

"One word: Breathtaking. More words: Heart-melting. Soul-feeding. Mind-blowing. INCARNATE captured all of me and won't let go." - Jeri Smith-Ready, award-winning author of the Shade trilogy

THE ORPHAN QUEEN casts its spell from the first page. Exquisite, captivating and romantic --Jodi Meadows's world forbids magic, but THE ORPHAN QUEEN is brimming with it. I loved this book! - Danielle Paige, New York Times bestselling author of Dorothy Must Die

One of the most compelling fantasies I've ever read. Fans of strong heroines, secret identities, and terrifyingly dangerous magic should put Jodi Meadows at the top of their 'to read' lists. - C.J. Redwine, author of the Defiance trilogy

Hidden identities, allusions to environmental concerns, a clever heroine with a worthy potential love interest, and some monster-mashing fight scenes elevate this romantic series opener. A cliff-hanger ending will have many readers exclaiming aloud their impatience at having to wait for the sequel. - Booklist

Fans of Katniss and the Sisters of St. Mortain from Robin LaFevers's "His Fair Assassin" series and other strong, vengeful female heroines will root for Wil. - School Library Journal

Solid worldbuilding, interesting characters and just enough romance make this an enjoyable read. - Kirkus Reviews

Meadows delivers a powerful coming-of-age story. - Publishers Weekly

Meadows deftly juggles a multitude of plot points here, managing to link each element to Wil's growth as a character. A cliffhanger ending puts a beloved character's life in peril, ensuring both a sequel and readers' clamoring for it. - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books