The Queen of Sorrow out now with brand new cover!

Happy book re-birthday to THE QUEEN OF SORROW! As of today, all three books of my Queens of Renthia trilogy have been re-released in trade paperback with stunning new covers by Alexander Jansson! Spellshop fans beware, these books are epic fantasy, not cozy, about bloodthirsty nature spirits and the queens who can control them!

http://sarahbethdurst.com/QueenofSorrow.htm

RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 16

I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...

Book 16 (adult SFF): THE QUEEN OF SORROW, Bk 3 of The Queens of Renthia, is the final battle between vicious spirits and three strong-willed queens. I loved writing these books so much that I cried when I finished. This book shares its #booknecklace with the first two in the series.

I loved writing an epic fantasy trilogy! It's something I've wanted to do ever since my mom introduced my eleven-year-old self to the SFF shelves in the Northboro Public Library and placed THE SWORD OF SHANNARA by Terry Brooks in my hands.

Happy paperback book birthday to THE QUEEN OF SORROW!

Happy paperback book birthday to THE QUEEN OF SORROW, Book Three of the Queens of Renthia!!! The trilogy is now complete, in both sizes! *shares cupcakes with everyone*

Gwen joined the celebration too.
  

Gwen believes she should be in all photo shoots. She's not wrong.

Wall Street Journal Review of THE QUEEN OF SORROW

Eeeeeeep!!! My latest book, THE QUEEN OF SORROW, was reviewed in yesterday's Wall Street Journal!!! My husband randomly found the article online and ran out to 7-Eleven to buy the paper (and some milk -- we were totally out :) ). Thanks, WSJ!

"The Renthia trilogy stands old beliefs, and even old myths, on their heads. Ms. Durst has given us a refreshing, provocative and ultimately convincing remake of modern fantasy conventions. The wonder is that we ever saw things the other way round." -- The Wall Street Journal

WORD Bookstore Event 6/6

On Wed June 6 at 7:30pm, Peter V. Brett and I will be at WORD Bookstore in Jersey City discussing all things epic fantasy and celebrating the release of THE QUEEN OF SORROW, the final book of my Queens of Renthia trilogy! Come join us for some Wednesday night bookish fun!

https://www.wordbookstores.com/event/word-presents-sarah-beth-durst-and-peter-brett-queen-sorrow

Happy book birthday to THE QUEEN OF SORROW!

I was raised on fresh raspberries, whole milk, and epic fantasy -- Terry Brooks, Mercedes Lackey, Anne McCaffrey, David Eddings, Guy Gavriel Kay... Growing up, I read my favorites over and over again, and I dreamed of writing my own trilogy someday, filled with grand adventure and deadly magic. I wanted it so badly that I barely ever talked about it -- it felt like a wish made on birthday candles, and I was so desperate for it to come true that I didn't want to do anything to dispel the power of that wish.

Today I am so happy and grateful to be able to share that wish-come-true with you! Today my very first epic fantasy trilogy is complete!!! It's the pub day for THE QUEEN OF SORROW, Book Three of The Queens of Renthia, published by Harper Voyager. I wrote these books out of love for the stories that shaped me and out of a wish to add my own brand of badass women to the genre.

Renthia is a world of extreme beauty: sky-piercing mountains, endless glaciers, and towering trees with cities nestled in their branches, all thanks to an overabundance of nature spirits. But the spirits who created all this glorious beauty aren't sweet, frolicking pixies. These spirits want to kill all humans, and only certain women -- the queens -- have the power to control them.

THE QUEEN OF SORROW concludes the stories of Daleina, Naelin, and Merecot, as the three determined queens clash over two countries plagued by bloodthirsty spirits.

If you're interested, more information can be found on my website, including the first three chapters.

To those of you who have come with me on this journey -- ziplining through the trees of Aratay and running with the wolf Bayn -- thank you so much for joining me! It means so much to me to share this adventure with you!

And to those of you who are new to Renthia... Welcome! Happy reading! Just watch out for the trees. They bite.
 

THE QUEEN OF SORROW comes out today!!!

I remember reading ALANNA by Tamora Pierce when I was ten years old and thinking, "If Alanna can become a knight, I can become a writer." *fistbumps ten-year-old me* THE QUEEN OF SORROW, the final book of my Queens of Renthia trilogy, comes out today! 

http://www.sarahbethdurst.com/QueenofSorrow.htm

3 Days until THE QUEEN OF SORROW!

When I was a shy, bookish kid, I read The SWORD OF SHANNARA by Terry Brooks and dreamed about writing my own epic fantasy trilogy. In 3 days, THE QUEEN OF SORROW, the final book of my first epic trilogy, comes out!!!

 

Signed Copies of THE QUEEN OF SORROW from WORD Bookstore

Today I signed pre-orders of THE QUEEN OF SORROW at the fantastic WORD Bookstore in Brooklyn! Also signed some extras, so if you'd like one, please contact WORD, and they can ship you one. 

 

Meet Bayn

When the wolf Bayn first padded into my story, I had no idea how important he would become. He's not just another furry face! THE QUEEN OF SORROW, the final book in my epic fantasy trilogy The Queens of Renthia, comes out in 4 days!

Signed copies from WORD

I'm headed to WORD Bookstore in Brooklyn tomorrow to sign/personalize brand new copies of THE QUEEN OF SORROW!!! If you'd like a signed copy, be sure to pre-order by the end of today (5/10) and they'll ship it to you as soon as my ink dries! http://www.wordbookstores.com/queenofsorrow

Meet Ven

6 days until THE QUEEN OF SORROW, the conclusion to my epic fantasy trilogy The Queens of Renthia, comes out! Meet Ven, once a disgraced champion and now champion to two queens. He has no magic, but that's not going to stop him.

Meet Merecot

You have no idea how excited I am for readers to read Merecot's story in THE QUEEN OF SORROW. No idea. In book three, I wrap up all the storylines in The Queens of Renthia, and there's lots more Merecot! Comes out in exactly one week!!!

 

Meet Naelin

8 days until THE QUEEN OF SORROW, the final book in my epic fantasy trilogy The Queens of Renthia, comes out! Meet Naelin, a middle-aged mother of two who wields immense power over the bloodthirsty spirits that plague Renthia. Loved writing her so much!

Meet Daleina

In 11 days, THE QUEEN OF SORROW, the final book in my epic fantasy trilogy The Queens of Renthia, comes out!!! Harper Voyager made these awesome cards to introduce you to the players. Meet Daleina, my un-Chosen One. Her true magic is her determination.

 

THE QUEEN OF SORROW is a B&N Best SFF Book of May 2018!

Barnes & Noble selected THE QUEEN OF SORROW as a Best SFF Book of May 2018! "With a story focused on powerful women and worldbuilding worthy of Guy Gavriel Kay, this series has been a dark delight." Whoa. Thanks so much, B&N! 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/the-best-science-fiction-fantasy-books-of-may-2018/

Excerpt from THE QUEEN OF SORROW

Excerpt from THE QUEEN OF SORROW now live! Just posted the 1st three chapters of Book 3 of The Queens of Renthia, the finale to my epic fantasy trilogy about bloodthirsty nature spirits and the queens who can control them, out 5/15 from Harper Voyager! 

http://www.sarahbethdurst.com/QueenofSorrowexcerpt.htm

Signed Copies of THE QUEEN OF SORROW

Exactly 3 weeks until THE QUEEN OF SORROW, the final book in my epic fantasy trilogy The Queens of Renthia, comes out!!! And WORD Bookstore is doing a pre-order campaign! So if you'd like a signed copy, pre-order from WORD by 5/10. I'll sign and personalize it for you on 5/11, and they'll ship it to you on 5/12. http://www.wordbookstores.com/queenofsorrow

 

Starred Review in Booklist for THE QUEEN OF SORROW!

Eeeeep!!! So happy to be able to share another STARRED REVIEW for THE QUEEN OF SORROW, Book 3 of my Queens of Renthia epic fantasy trilogy, out 5/15 from Harper Voyager!!! Thank you, Booklist!

https://www.booklistonline.com/The-Queen-of-Sorrow-Sarah-Beth-Durst/pid=9311812

Starred Publishers Weekly Review for THE QUEEN OF SORROW!

Eeeeeeeee!!! A starred review for THE QUEEN OF SORROW, the 3rd (and final) book of my epic fantasy trilogy The Queens of Renthia (coming 5/15 from Harper Voyager)! Thank you, Publishers Weekly! I'm so thrilled and so grateful and so excited!

https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780062413383